Publications

In Uganda, mothers use Herbal Medicines in pregnancy and labor at increasing rates,consequently, this results to premature labor, fetal distress, precipitate labor, risk of abortion andmany others. This study aimed at identifying factors leading to increased use of herbal medicinesby mothers during labor in Kakanju HC III Kakanju -Parish, Bushenyi District. A descriptivecross-sectional study was carried out among 40 mothers who were selected by simple randomsampling. Contributing factors were assessed by vicariate analysis where HM use dependentanalyzed against individual, social economic and facility factors. Odds ratio and p-values wereestablished. Results found 28(70%) of mothers who attended ANC less than 4 times, 34(85.0%) hadused them before OR-1.190 p-0.257, 35(87.5%) believed that HM were without side effects OR-1.446, p-0.008 and 28(70%) believed that HM contributed to better pregnancy outcomes with OR5.571, p-0.00. 22(55.0%) earned less monthly with OR-1.143, p-0.687, and 35(87.5%) culturesupported HM 1.238, p-0.124. Majority 34(85.0%) were not warned by health workers on dangersfor HM use during labor, their OR-1.653, p-0.001. The study concluded on both individual factorslike less ANC attendance and beliefs on safety for HM, social economic factors like low income andcultural support for HM as well as facility related including lack of clear warning on HM use tohave contributed to increase in HM use.