The Perceptions, Knowledge and Use of Herbal Medicine Among Pregnant Women Attending ANC at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu, The North East Region of Ghana

Herbal medicines are serving the health needs of several persons across the world especially those in developing countries. The study assessed the perceptions, knowledge and use of herbal medicine among pregnant women attending ANC at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu, The North East Region of Ghana. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design and data was obtained by interviews using structured questionnaires. Findings revealed majority respondents were between the ages of (21-30) representing 51.4%, (31-35) 34.9 %, (15-20)11.5% and (36-40) 2.3% respectively. A large number of the study respondents have heard about herbal medicine (78.9%) while others have not heard of herbal medicine (21.1%). Most respondents (61.7%) said they have used herbal medicine before, with (38.3%) indicating they do not use herbal medicine. Findings also revealed 56% of respondents indicated herbal medicine is effective while 44% said herbal medicine is ineffective. Respondents' views regarding the effects they experience from the use of herbal medicine showed; headache (8%), vomiting (15%), dizziness (20%), diarrhea and stomach pain (52%) and others (5%) said they do not know the effects since they do not use herbal medicine. Comparing the effectiveness of orthodox medicine to herbal medicine, most of study respondents (60.6%) asserted orthodox medicine is more effective than herbal medicine (39.4%). The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy among women in Nalerigu is common, which may be an indicator for poor access and affordability to conventional western healthcare. This therefore calls for community sensitization on the dangers of indiscriminate use of herbal medications among pregnant women and training of traditional to vary the health needs of pregnant women.