TITLE:
Forces behind the Use of Herbs during Pregnancy by Zimbabwean Women: A Case of Gweru District
AUTHORS:
Panganai Tsitsi, Shoko Tabona, Mufunda Esther
KEYWORDS:
Pregnancy, Medicinal Plants, Safety, Delivery
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.9 No.5,
May
20,
2021
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The use of herbal remedies is gradually increasing worldwide and Zimbabwe is not left behind. This study therefore sought to explore the forces behind the use of herbs during pregnancy by Zimbabwean women. Materials and methods: A qualitative approach was chosen using the case study design to evaluate the forces. The study was carried out at three maternity hospitals in Gweru. Thirty (30) women who used herbs during pregnancy were purposefully samples and interviewed using a structured interview schedule. The date was analyzed thematically. Results: It was noted that culture and belief system, previous experience as well as significant people in the woman’s life were the forces behind the use of herbs in pregnancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that these forces promoted the indiscriminate use of herbs which are passed from mother to daughter without considering the safety of the herbs to the mother and baby. Therefore, more research is needed to analyze the safety of these herbs to ensure that the mother and baby are safe.