Prevalence and Predictors for use of Herbal medicine in the treatment of Infertility in a secondary Health facility in South-South Nigeria
Main Article Content
Keywords
Prevalence, Predictor, Herbal Medicine, Infertility
Abstract
Background: Infertility is one of the major medical problems seen in the Gynaecology clinic. Herbal medicine (HM) has become one the of treatment options used to circumvent infertility problems. This study aims to explore the prevalence and predictors for HM use in the management of infertility in our region.
Methodology: The method used was a cross-sectional study of 117 women attending the infertility clinic at Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The interviewer administered a questionnaire comprised of socio-demographic characteristics, infertility-related aspects and information on herbal medicine usage. The main outcome measure was the Prevalence of HM use for infertility treatment and the possible predictors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 22.
Results: The mean age of participants was 34.1 with a standard deviation of 6.66 years. The minimum age of participants was 23 years and while maximum age was 48 years. The prevalence of HM use was 79.9%. The factors that were significantly associated with the use of HM were marital status (p 0.033), history of primary infertility (0.026) and having used HM for the management of other ailments (0.000). Women who were married and having fertility issues were more likely to seek alternative methods like the use of HM.
Conclusion: The prevalence of use of HM among participants attending the fertility clinic was high at 79.9%. We recommend that health professionals should enquire about the use of HM as this may help in educating the patients about the health risks of using HM. There is a need to explore the potential benefits and risks of HM use.
References
2. Ombelet W, Cooke I, Dyer S, Serour G, Devroey P. Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries. Hum Reprod Update 2008;14(6):605–621
3. Mascarenhas MN, Flaxman SR, Boerma T, Vanderpoel S, Stevens G. National, regional, and global trends in infertility prevalence since 1990: a systematic analysis of 277 health surveys. PLoS Medicine 2012;9(12):e1001356.
4. Tabong PTN, Adongo PB. Infertility and childlessness: a qualitative study of the experiences of infertile couples in Northern Ghana. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2013; 13(72). doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-7.
5. Dyer SJ. Infertility-related reproductive health knowledge and help-seeking behaviour in African countries. Hum Reprod 2008; 1:29–33.
6. Tabong PTN, Adongo PB. Understanding the social meaning of infertility and childbearing: a qualitative study of the perception of childbearing and childlessness in Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2013; 8(1): p.e54429
7. Wischmann T, Stammer H, Scherg H, Gerhard I, Verres R. Psychosocial characteristics of infertile couples: a study by the Heidelberg fertility consultation service. Hum Reprod 2001; 16:1753–1761.
8. Nwaobodo EI, Isah YA. Knowledge, attitude and practice of child adoption among infertile female patients in Sokoto north-west Nigeria. Nig postgrad Med J2011; 18(4): 272-275.
9. Tabong PT, Adongo PB. Understanding the social meaning of infertility and childbearing: A qualitative study of the perception of childbearing and childlessness in Northern Ghana. PloS one.2013; 8 (1): e54429
10. Franik S, Eltrop SM, Kremer JA, Kiesel L, Farquhar C. Aromatase inhibitors (letrozole) for subfertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5(5):CD010287.
11. Gnoth C, Maxrath B, Skonieczny T, Friol K, Godehardt E, Tigges J. Final ART success rates: a 10 year survey. Hum Reprod 2011;26(8):2239–2246.
12. Edwards RG, Fishel SB, Cohen J, Fehilly CB, Purdy JM, Slater JM, et al. Factors influencing the success of in vitro fertilization for alleviating human infertility. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf 1984;1(1):3–23.
13. Dunson DB, Baird DD, Colombo B. Increased infertility with age in men and women. Obstet Gynecol 2004; 103(1): 51–56.
14. Inhrorn MC, Patrizio P. Infertility around the globe: new thinking on gender, reproductive technologies, and global movements in the 21st century. Hum Repro Update 2015;21(4):411-26. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmv016
15. Horbst V. “You need someone in a grand boubou,” in ¨ barriers and means to access ARTs in West Africa. Infertility. 2012;21(21):46–52.
16. Ndegwa SW. Affordable ART in Kenya: The only hope for involuntary childlessness, Facts, Views and Vision. Obstet Gynaecol 2016; 8(2): 128–130.
17. Kretchy IA, Owusu-Daaku F, Danquah SI. Patterns, and determinants of the use of complementary and alternative medicine: a cross-sectional study of hypertensive patients in Ghana. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine2014; 14:44. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-44.
18. James PB, Bah AJ, Kondorvoh IM. Exploring self-use, attitude and interest to study complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among final year undergraduate medical, pharmacy and nursing students in Sierra Leone: a comparative study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016; 16:121. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1102-4.
19. Erku DA, Mekuria BA. Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Hypertensive Patients in Gondar Town, Ethiopia. Evidence Based Complement Altern Medicine 2016,2016:6987636.doi: 10.1155/2016/6987636.
20. Kaadaaga HF, Ajeani J, Ononge S, Alele PE, Nakasujja N, Manabe YC, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with use of herbal medicine among women attending an infertility clinic in Uganda. BMC Complement Alternat Med 2014; 14:27.
21. Li S, Odedina S, Agwai I, Ojengbede O, Huo D, Olopade OI. Traditional medicine usage among adult women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020;20(1):93.
22. Bamidele JO, Adebimpe WO, Oladele EA. Knowledge, attitude and use of alternative medical therapy amongst urban residents of Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria.AfrJ Trad Complement Alternat Med 2009; 6(3) 281–288.
23. Gari A, Yarlagadda R, Wolde-Mariam M. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and management of traditional medicine among people of Burka Jato Kebele, West Ethiopia. J Pharm and Bioallied Sci 2015; 7(2) 136–144.
24. Onyiapat JL, Okoronkwo IL, Ogbonnaya NP. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults in Enugu, Nigeria. BMC Complement Altern Med 2011; 4(11)19.
25. Hughes GD, Aboyade OM, Beauclair R, Mbamalu ON, Puoane TR. Characterizing Herbal Medicine Use for Noncommunicable Diseases in Urban South Africa, Evidence-Based Complement Alternat Med 2015;2015:736074. doi: 10.1155/2015/736074.
26. Opara ER, Osayi KK. Factors Affecting Utilization of Herbal Medicine as Livelihood Alternatives among Residents of Imo State: The Role of social work Professionals. J Hum Soc Sci 2016; 21(5) 66–78.
27. Birhan W, Giday M, Teklehaymanot T. The contribution of traditional healers' clinics to public health care system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2011;(2) 7:39.
28. Nwosu IA, Njemanze VC, Ekpechu JO, Eteng MJ, Ukah JA, Eyisi EC, et al. Prevalence and determinants of use of traditional methods of infertility treatment among women attending infertility clinic in Southeast Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health 2022;26(3):63-73.
29. Hailu F, Cherie A, Gebrevohannis T, Hailu R. Determinants of traditional medicine utilization for children: a parental level study in Tole District, Oromia, Ethiopia. BMC Complement Med Therap2020; 20:125.
30. Kaadaaga HF, Ajeani J, Ononge S, Alele PE, Nakasujja N, Manabe YC, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with use of herbal medicine among women attending an infertility clinic in Uganda. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014; 14:27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-27
31. Ola TM, Aladekomo FO, Oludare BA. Determinants of the choice of treatment outlets for infertility in Southwest Nigeria. Rawal Med Journal 2008;33(2): 193–196.
32. Smith JF, Eisenberg ML, Millstein SG, Nachtigall RD, Shindel AW, Wing H et al. Infertility Outcomes Program Project Group. The use of complementary and alternative fertility treatment in couples seeking fertility care: data from a prospective cohort in the United States. Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2169-74.
33. Ghazeeri GS, Awwad JT, Alameddine M, Younes ZMH, Naja F, Prevalence and determinants of complementary and alternative medicine use among infertile patients in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study. BMC Complement Alternat Med 2012; 12:129.
34. Coulson C, Jenkins J. Complementary and alternative medicine utilisation in NHS and private clinic settings: a United Kingdom survey of 400 infertility patients. J Experiment Clin AssistRepro 2005;2(1) article 5.
35. WHO: Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005. Geneva, Switzerland; 2002. whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_edm_trm_2002.1.pdf.
36. Kumar D, Kumar A, Prakash O. Potential antifertility agents from plants: a comprehensive review. J Ethnopharmacol 2012; 140(1):1–32.
38. Mukhram MA, Shivakumar H, Viswanatha GL, Rajesh S. Anti-fertility effect of flower extracts of Tabernaemontanadivaricata in rats. Chin J Nat Med 2012; 10(1):58–62.
39. Rosselli M, Reinhart K, Imthurn B, Keller PJ, Dubey RK. Cellular and biochemical mechanisms by which environmental oestrogens influence reproductive function. Human Reprod Update 2000; 6(4):332–350.
40. Boivin JSL. Use of complementary and alternative medicines associated with a 30% lower ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate during 12 months of fertility treatment. Hum Reprod 2009; 24:1626–1631