Title: Medicinal plants used to induce labour during childbirth in western Uganda.

POPLINE Document Number: 314466

Author(s):

Kamatenesi-Mugisha M
Oryem-Origa H

Source citation:

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007 Jan;109(3):1-9.

Abstract:

Traditional medicine usage in rural Ugandan population for day-to-day health care needs is close to 90%.Women and children form the bulk of the people reliant on herbal medicine. This study was undertaken to document how ethnomedical folklore aids childbirth in rural western Uganda by conducting field surveys, discussions and interviews with the resource users (mothers) and health providers (traditional birth attendants). Health surveys revealed that over 80% of childbirths are conducted at home by using herbal remedies in Bushenyi district. Seventy-five plants have been recorded for usage in inducing labour and some of these plants may be oxytocic. The dilemma lies in the toxicity levels and the unspecified dosages that may threaten the life of the unborn baby and the mother. The high population growth rate, high total fertility rate coupled with high maternal mortality and morbidity in Uganda calls for rethinking in gendered health provision policies and programmes for which herbal medicine integration in health care systems seems viable. (author's)

Keywords:

Uganda
Research Report
Quantitative Research
Pregnant Women
Traditional Birth Attendants
Childbirth
Medicine, Traditional
Plants, Medicinal
Oxytocin
Developing Countries
Africa, Eastern
Africa South of the Sahara
Africa
Research Methodology
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Health Personnel
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Pregnancy Outcomes
Pregnancy
Reproduction
Medicine
Health Services
Pituitary Hormones
Hormones
Endocrine System
Physiology
Biology