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Table 3 Characteristics of herbal medicine use during pregnancy

From: Prevalence and factors associated with use of herbal medicines during pregnancy among women attending postnatal clinics in Gulu district, Northern Uganda

Characteristics

Number (n = 78)

Percent

Trimester of pregnancy:

 1st trimester

6

10.3

 2nd trimester

18

23.1

 3rd trimester

16

20.5

 1st and 2nd trimester

10

12.8

 2nd and 3rd trimester

11

14.1

 During labour

9

11.5

 Throughout pregnancy

6

7.7

Perception:

 Effective/safe

51

82.3

 Not effective

11

17.7

Method of use:

 Ingestion

54

69.2

 Smearing on abdomen

15

19.3

 Insertion in vagina

6

7.7

 Inhalation

3

3.8

Duration of HM use:

  < 3 week

57

73.1

  ≥ 3 weeks

21

26.9

Paid for herbal medicine:

 Yes

57

73.1

 No

21

26.9

Source of herbal medicine:

 Gathered from bush

37

47.4

 Traditional healer

39

50.0

 Others

2

2.6

Source of information to use HM

 Relative

46

59.0

 Herbalist

20

25.6

 Friend

12

15.4

Would disclose use of HM to health worker

 Yes

20

25.6

 No

58

74.4

Disclosed use of HM to health worker

 Yes

8

10.3

 No

70

89.7

Concomitantly used HMs with ANC drugs

 Yes

50

64.1

 No

28

35.9

  1. HM herbal medicines, ANC antenatal clinic