Use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnant women: A cross-sectional survey in the south of Iran.
10.1016/j.joim.2019.09.003
- Author:
Naghmeh YAZDI
1
,
2
;
Alireza SALEHI
3
;
Mina VOJOUD
4
;
Mohammad Hossein SHARIFI
4
;
Ayda HOSEINKHANI
4
Author Information
1. Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 71348-14336 Shiraz, Iran
2. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 71348-14336 Shiraz, Iran.
3. Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 71348-14336 Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: salehialireza45@yahoo.com.
4. Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 71348-14336 Shiraz, Iran.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alternative medicine;
Complementary medicine;
Pregnancy;
Traditional medicine
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2019;17(6):392-395
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:The use of traditional medicine and complementary alternative medicine (TM/CAM) derived from herbal remedies or natural supplements is increasing worldwide, but there are limited data on the use of TM/CAM during pregnancy. Iran has various ethnic populations, and the usage of TM/CAM by the different ethnic groups has not been researched. The aim of this study is to understand the use of TM/CAM modalities in pregnant women of different ethnic groups in southern Iran.
METHODS:This study was conducted in primary health care centers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, from May to August, 2016. A semi-structured valid questionnaire was used to gather information in pregnant women (n = 170).
RESULTS:About 46.5% of women in this study used TM/CAM during previous pregnancies. The majority (67%) of study participants were Arab. The Arab population showed increased use of TM/CAM during pregnancy (P = 0.014). Women with complications in former pregnancies had significantly higher incidence rate of TM/CAM use (65.8%) compared to the other group (39.6%) (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION:Understanding TM/CAM use and the associated factors in different ethnic groups of pregnant women will benefit the evaluation of the proper health policies and mother-infant health programs. This study contributes to the growing literature on TM/CAM, ethnic diversity and pregnant women.
