ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy, perceived benefits and impact on health, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the extent to which herbal medicine is beneficial to pregnant women attending Egor PHC. Also it seeks to find out the level of awareness about the consequences of herbal medicine during pregnancy. Furthermore the study seeks to find out the factors responsible for the use of herbal medication among pregnant women. Lastly, the study examines the level of utilisation of herbal medication by pregnant women attending Egor PHC?
The study adopted a descriptive research design, the population comprises the registered pregnant women at Egor PHC, eighty (80) respondents that was randomly selected to represent the total population of the number of women who registered at the Health Center, and the instrument of data collection for was a questionnaire of 20 items personally administered by the researcher. The collected data was analyzed using frequency counts and percentage.
The study found out that; herbal medicines reduce pain and give the women strength during pregnancy, the respondents were fully aware of the health consequences associated with herbal medicines, as it was indicated that herbal medicine can cause acid reflux. In view of the above, the following recommendations are therefore put forward; there should be a proper female formal education and socio-economic empowerment, that will ensure that the women are enlightened and economically empowered to discriminate about the use of drugs in pregnancy, and community mobilization and education, to control advertisements and optimize the knowledge of the populace, about the risks and benefits of herbal medicines to the fetus and mother in pregnancy.
