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Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2024)
cmja 2024, 13(4): 11-20 |
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Khandan M, Hajjafari K, Foroud A. The Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pregnant Women Referring to the Kerman University of Medical Sciences Health Centers. cmja 2024; 13 (4) :11-20
URL: http://cmja.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-931-en.html
URL: http://cmja.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-931-en.html
1- Assistant Professor, Ph.D. in Nursing, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran , mkhandan@iauk.ac.ir
2- General Practitioner, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Instructor, MSc in Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
2- General Practitioner, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3- Instructor, MSc in Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
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INTRODUCTION
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) involves interventions, treatments, and healthcare practices not part of conventional medicine. Its primary goal is to alleviate symptoms, address disease-causing factors, and restore balance in the human body. The CAM includes herbal medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, etc. The employ of CAM, regardless of the type of culture and context, has found a wide range as an adjunct treatment for different illnesses. Also, it has various applications and effectiveness among women during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Hence, when conventional medications are contraindicated, CAM has been considered a viable option to enhance maternal health.
Several factors, including geographic region, demographic characteristics, place of residence (urban or rural), and cultural perspective, have been identified as predictors for the use of CAM by pregnant women. Moreover, researchers believe that there is a significant correlation between the application of CAM and Islamic beliefs. Therefore, due to its great popularity, this study aims to investigate the application of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnant women referring to Kerman University of Medical Sciences health care centers, southeastern Iran, 2023.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 226 pregnant mothers with pregnancy records in the "Sib system" from 54 primary health centers in four geographical regions of Kerman were selected by simple random sampling. The inclusion criteria were willingness to participate in the study, Iranian nationality, age 18-51 years, having at least a basic literacy level, and singleton pregnancy. Exclusion criteria included taking medication except pregnancy supplements, history of miscarriage and infertility, suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic hypertension, and heart disease, and having a known history of mental illness.
The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part included demographic and pregnancy information. The second section consisted of eight multiple-choice questions related to the manner and frequency of the use of complementary medicine, experience, duration, and reasons for employing CAM and its effectiveness. The CVI and CVR values for the questionnaire were calculated as 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. The reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which was calculated as 0.87. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V23, and the significance level was set at 0.05.
RESULTS
Of 226 participants, 88.5 % of the participants were between 18-35 years old (n=200), 51.3 % had a diploma or post-graduate education (n=116), and 83.6 % of them were housewives (n=189). Also, 62.4% (n=141) of the women had a history of previous pregnancy, 41.2% (n= 93) had a history of one delivery, and 44.7% (n=101) of the mothers' gestational age were more than 28 weeks.
The data analysis revealed that 83.62% (n=189) of participants have employed at least one CAM method. The obtained results indicated that among the types of CAM used, herbal medicine were the most frequent, 82.81% (n=188), and among this category, honey had the highest rate of use (21.89%, n=139). Interestingly, the results also showed that methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, acupressure, and hypnosis are not very popular among pregnant women.
A study found that 41.15% (n=93) of pregnant women who used CAM reported a high influence on solving their desired health problem. While 3.98% (n=9) reported no effect, and 34.07% (n=77) did not clearly understand the effect or lack of effect and had no opinion. Additionally, 78.76% (n=178) of these women applied CAM without consulting a Health professionals and caregivers.
It is noted that the most common reason for using CAM was safety due to fewer side effects, 26.99% (n=61). In contrast, only 0.39% (n=1) of the participants employed CAM for gestational diabetes and blood concentration. The study also reveals that the most common way of getting familiar with CAM is through family, friends, and acquaintances, with 65.93% (n=149). On the other hand, only 6.20% (n=14) of the participants learned about CAM from Health professionals and caregivers. The logistic regression results showed a statistically significant relationship between CAM use and gestational age (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that the use of complementary and alternative medicine according to the point of view of pregnant women based on its high impact on solving the desired problem, its safety, and fewer side effects, has a lot of use and popularity. However, further research, including meta-analysis, is necessary to establish a definite conclusion on the advantages, disadvantages, and complementary and alternative medicine effectiveness. Therefore, according to the origin of complementary and alternative medicine among pregnant women, potential benefits and risks for both the mother and fetus, and how it relates to factors such as culture, ethnicity, religion, and other individual characteristics, it is suggested that mothers' health care providers in this regard more get training. Also, should be provided more time to counsel mothers applying for complementary and alternative medicine employment to ensure they receive safer recommendations from trained health professionals.
Ethical Considerations
The Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Kerman branch, approved this study (Ethics code: IR.IAU.KERMAN.REC.1402.099). All participants completed the written consent form. They were assured that the questionnaire was anonymous and that their information would be confidential and analyzed only for research purposes. Also, the authors emphasized that participation or non-participation in this study will not harm them and the process of receiving services.
Funding
This article is in the form of a research project number 108020680001 that was carried out with the financial support of the Research and Technology Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Azad University, Kerman branch.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The researchers would like to thank all the esteemed employees of Kerman University of Medical Sciences health centers and pregnant women who sincerely participated in this study.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) involves interventions, treatments, and healthcare practices not part of conventional medicine. Its primary goal is to alleviate symptoms, address disease-causing factors, and restore balance in the human body. The CAM includes herbal medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, etc. The employ of CAM, regardless of the type of culture and context, has found a wide range as an adjunct treatment for different illnesses. Also, it has various applications and effectiveness among women during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Hence, when conventional medications are contraindicated, CAM has been considered a viable option to enhance maternal health.
Several factors, including geographic region, demographic characteristics, place of residence (urban or rural), and cultural perspective, have been identified as predictors for the use of CAM by pregnant women. Moreover, researchers believe that there is a significant correlation between the application of CAM and Islamic beliefs. Therefore, due to its great popularity, this study aims to investigate the application of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnant women referring to Kerman University of Medical Sciences health care centers, southeastern Iran, 2023.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 226 pregnant mothers with pregnancy records in the "Sib system" from 54 primary health centers in four geographical regions of Kerman were selected by simple random sampling. The inclusion criteria were willingness to participate in the study, Iranian nationality, age 18-51 years, having at least a basic literacy level, and singleton pregnancy. Exclusion criteria included taking medication except pregnancy supplements, history of miscarriage and infertility, suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic hypertension, and heart disease, and having a known history of mental illness.
The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part included demographic and pregnancy information. The second section consisted of eight multiple-choice questions related to the manner and frequency of the use of complementary medicine, experience, duration, and reasons for employing CAM and its effectiveness. The CVI and CVR values for the questionnaire were calculated as 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. The reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which was calculated as 0.87. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V23, and the significance level was set at 0.05.
RESULTS
Of 226 participants, 88.5 % of the participants were between 18-35 years old (n=200), 51.3 % had a diploma or post-graduate education (n=116), and 83.6 % of them were housewives (n=189). Also, 62.4% (n=141) of the women had a history of previous pregnancy, 41.2% (n= 93) had a history of one delivery, and 44.7% (n=101) of the mothers' gestational age were more than 28 weeks.
The data analysis revealed that 83.62% (n=189) of participants have employed at least one CAM method. The obtained results indicated that among the types of CAM used, herbal medicine were the most frequent, 82.81% (n=188), and among this category, honey had the highest rate of use (21.89%, n=139). Interestingly, the results also showed that methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, acupressure, and hypnosis are not very popular among pregnant women.
A study found that 41.15% (n=93) of pregnant women who used CAM reported a high influence on solving their desired health problem. While 3.98% (n=9) reported no effect, and 34.07% (n=77) did not clearly understand the effect or lack of effect and had no opinion. Additionally, 78.76% (n=178) of these women applied CAM without consulting a Health professionals and caregivers.
It is noted that the most common reason for using CAM was safety due to fewer side effects, 26.99% (n=61). In contrast, only 0.39% (n=1) of the participants employed CAM for gestational diabetes and blood concentration. The study also reveals that the most common way of getting familiar with CAM is through family, friends, and acquaintances, with 65.93% (n=149). On the other hand, only 6.20% (n=14) of the participants learned about CAM from Health professionals and caregivers. The logistic regression results showed a statistically significant relationship between CAM use and gestational age (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that the use of complementary and alternative medicine according to the point of view of pregnant women based on its high impact on solving the desired problem, its safety, and fewer side effects, has a lot of use and popularity. However, further research, including meta-analysis, is necessary to establish a definite conclusion on the advantages, disadvantages, and complementary and alternative medicine effectiveness. Therefore, according to the origin of complementary and alternative medicine among pregnant women, potential benefits and risks for both the mother and fetus, and how it relates to factors such as culture, ethnicity, religion, and other individual characteristics, it is suggested that mothers' health care providers in this regard more get training. Also, should be provided more time to counsel mothers applying for complementary and alternative medicine employment to ensure they receive safer recommendations from trained health professionals.
Ethical Considerations
The Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Kerman branch, approved this study (Ethics code: IR.IAU.KERMAN.REC.1402.099). All participants completed the written consent form. They were assured that the questionnaire was anonymous and that their information would be confidential and analyzed only for research purposes. Also, the authors emphasized that participation or non-participation in this study will not harm them and the process of receiving services.
Funding
This article is in the form of a research project number 108020680001 that was carried out with the financial support of the Research and Technology Vice-Chancellor of Islamic Azad University, Kerman branch.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The researchers would like to thank all the esteemed employees of Kerman University of Medical Sciences health centers and pregnant women who sincerely participated in this study.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Traditional medicine
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