The use of African traditional medicines amongst Zulu women during childbearing in northern KwaZulu-Natal

In Africa, some women are still heavily depending on traditional medicine during childbearing to maintain healthy pregnancy, postpartum recovery and for infant care. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of traditional medicine use and associated factors of its use during childbearing. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and individual interviews were conducted with 140 women. The results indicated that majority of women (79%) were still using traditional medicine during childbearing for different purposes even with the availability of free health care services. The most commonly used traditional medicine used during pregnancy was isihlambezo. Umhlabelo herbal mixture was the most cited remedy used for post-partum recovery. For infant care, imbiza was the only used traditional remedy. The results of this study highlight the need for health care workers to be aware of this practice and be able to provide mediation during ante-natal care classes. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[1]: 66-75). Keywords: Herbal mixtures, infant care, medicinal plants, Northern Maputaland, postpartum recovery, pregnancy En Afrique, certaines femmes dependent encore fortement de la medecine traditionnelle pendant la grossesse pour maintenir une grossesse en bonne sante, la recuperation post-partum et les soins du nourrisson. Cette etude a ete concue pour evaluer la prevalence de l'utilisation de la medecine traditionnelle et les facteurs associes a son utilisation pendant la grossesse. Les donnees ont ete recueillies a l'aide de questionnaires structures et des entretiens individuels ont ete menes aupres de 140 femmes. Les resultats ont indique que la majorite des femmes (79%) utilisaient encore la medecine traditionnelle pendant la grossesse a des fins differentes, meme avec la disponibilite de services de soins de sante gratuits. La medecine traditionnelle la plus couramment utilisee pendant la grossesse etait l'ishihlambezo. Le melange a base de plantes Umhlabelo etait le remede le plus cite utilise pour la recuperation post-partum. Pour les soins aux nourrissons, l'imbiza etait le seul remede traditionnel utilise. Les resultats de cette etude mettent en evidence la necessite pour les agents de sante d'etre sensibilises a cette pratique et d'etre en mesure d'assurer une mediation lors des cours de soins prenatals. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[1]: 66-75). Mots-cles: Melanges d'herbes, soins aux nourrissons, plantes medicinales, Maputaland du Nord, recupe