Factors Affecting the Use of Nutri-Medicinal Plants by Pregnant Women in Kyeizooba, Bushenyi District Western Uganda

Abstract

The use of nutri-medicinal plants is widely spread in the treatment of several ailments among pregnant women worldwide. In Uganda, different medicinal plants are used by pregnant women for treatment of different ailments. A cross sectional study was done on 135 women in Kyeizooba Sub county Bushenyi District from September 2016 to November 2016. Factors associated with the use of medicinal plants were identified. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done and logistic regression model was used to test for significant relationships. Level of significance was set at 5% CI and p=0.05. Distance (p=0.012), number of children to a mother (p=0.037) and income (p=0.025) were influencing use of medicinal plants by pregnant women. Women with low income [OR=0.02] living in long distance from health centers [OR=12.7], and mothers with many children [OR=1.45] were most likely to use nutri-medicinal plants than their counterparts. Any factors that affected women from attending to ANC increased their chances of using herbal medicines.