Prevalence and pattern of traditional medicine use among pregnant women on highly active anti-retroviral therapy in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional medicine use is considered as the primary source of health care in many African settings. In the present human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic, affected individuals often employ its use as coping strategies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of traditional medicine use among HIV-positive pregnant women on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Material and methods: The study was a cross-sectional study involving pregnant women on HAART in UPTH, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics, pattern, and reasons for traditional medicine use were obtained through validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used in summarizing data, while χ2 for homogeneity was used to compare the difference in proportion of traditional medicine use. Results: The study had a total of 113 pregnant women on HAART, with mean age 31.6 ± 4.1 years. Prevalence of traditional medicine use was 11.5% (n = 13). The difference in proportion of traditional medicine use across the respondents was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Majority (84.6%) of them did not disclose traditional medicine use to their physicians. Higher proportion of them (76.9%) believed that traditional medicine boosted their immunity, while a lower proportion of 7.7% believed that it could cure HIV. Conclusions: Traditional medicine use among HIV-positive pregnant women on HAART is not uncommon. Hence, there is a need for public health enlightenment on the prevention of traditional medicine use amongst them, while advocating for further studies to investigate the chemical components of these traditional remedies.