Abstract

USING HERBAL MEDICINE AMONG BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

*Assist. Prof. Eman M. Goweily

Abstract

Background: The use of medications, including herbal medicines during breastfeeding is always a concern among women. Currently, there is no published evidence on whether Egyptian women use herbal medicine during breastfeeding. This study investigates the prevalence, correlates and pattern of using herbal medicine by breastfeeding mothers. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 378 current breastfeeding mothers attending Family Planning, Gynecological clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres within Tanta city. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Over a third of mothers (n = 140, 37.0%) used herbal medicine by breastfeeding mothers. However, very few Breastfeeding mothers (2.1%, n = 3) used herbal medicine to augment breastfeeding. Dietary changes were the most common method used to increase breast milk supply (93.9%, n = 355) with sweet potato and Fenugreek being the most common dietary addition. Mothers with children more than six months old were more likely to use herbal medicine than mothers with younger children (OR:1.8; CI:1.13–2.85, p = 0.013). Among breastfeeding mothers, only 11.4% (n = 16) disclosed their herbal medicine use to their conventional healthcare providers. Conclusion: The use of herbal medicine among breastfeeding mothers attending Family Planning, Gynecological clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centre within Tanta city is common. Whilst this use is not usually specific to increasing breast milk supply, our study indicates that herbal medicines may be used to „cleanse‟ initial breast milk.

Keywords: Gynecological clinics, Maternal and Child Health.