Knowledge regarding use of herbal medicine among pregnant women aged 18-30 years at Kagadi General Hospital. A cross-sectional study.

Background: The study aimed to establish the knowledge regarding use of herbal medicine among pregnant women aged 18-30 years at Kagadi General Hospital. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional design using quantitative and qualitative methods among pregnant women aged 18–30 years attending antenatal care at Kagadi General Hospital. A target sample of 85 respondents was selected using convenience sampling. Structured questionnaires collected primary data, while secondary data came from existing literature and reports. Research tools were pretested among 20 pregnant women at Kibaale Health Centre IV. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and presented in frequency tables. Ethical approval, informed consent, and confidentiality were ensured. Results: The majority of respondents, 44 (51%), were aged 23–26 years, while 20 (24%) were aged 27–30 years. After using herbal medicine during pregnancy, 60 (70%) reported unusual symptoms, whereas 25 (30%) did not. Reported experiences included dizziness or weakness, 61 (71%); obstructed labour, 10 (12%); postpartum haemorrhage, 7 (8%); prolonged labour, 4 (5%); and vaginal bleeding before delivery, 3 (4%). None reported severe abdominal pain or excessive uterine contractions. Complications required medical attention among 62 (73%) respondents, while 23 (27%) did not require medical attention. Pregnancy outcomes included 80 (94%) live births, four (5%) stillbirths, and one (1%) miscarriage. Regarding newborn complications, 32 (40%) experienced low birth weight, while 10 (13%) experienced no complications. Conclusion: Most pregnant women knew about herbal medicines but had inadequate knowledge of their side effects, relying mainly on family and friends for information. Recommendation: The Ministry of Health should strengthen public health education on the safety of herbal medicines during pregnancy, develop clear guidelines for healthcare workers.