Author(s): Hood Ahmed Ibanda, Peter Ntuyo, Frank Mubiru and Fatuma Namusoke

Abstract: Herbal medicines are widely used during pregnancy. This study aimed at determining prevalence, reasons for, and factors associated with use of herbal medicine during pregnancy in an urban tertiary hospital in Uganda. In this cross-sectional survey, 520 postpartum mothers were recruited after informed consent. Data on demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and reasons for use of herbal medicine were collected. Using modified Poisson regression model, multivariate analysis was done. Majority of the mothers 69.8 % (363/520) reported using herbal medicine in the just concluded pregnancy. Herbal medicines were used mainly to ease delivery and avoid caesarean section. Women who believed that herbs are safe (PR = 1.1 95% CI = 1.01.00-1.21), had ever used herbs (PR = 3.23, 95% CI = 2.23-4.67), and those advised by family members to use herbs (PR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.04-2.59) were more likely to use herbs. Herbal medicines are widely used in this urban population mainly for avoiding caesarean sections.