Abstract:
Background: To identify traditional dietary remedies used in pregnancy and puerperium for various indications, their prescribers and to assess any relationship of education and living standards on the use of these remedies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Obs/Gynae Unit-1, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. One hundred women, who were either admitted in antenatal and postnatal ward or coming to the outpatient department for antenatal check up or postnatal follow-up were interviewed according to a questionnaire. Results: Of the 100 women interviewed, 64 (64%) had used some traditional dietary remedy, during pregnancy or puerperium. Most of the women (34%) used it during pregnancy, 12% in puerperium and 13% used it in pregnancy as well as in puerperium Types of remedies identified were desi ghee in milk (17%), lemon (17%), halwa with ginger (12%), pickle (12%), halwa with desi ghee, almonds, charo maghz (10%), halwa with Bengal kino (kamar kas) (10%), halwa with lotus seeds (7%), uncooked rice (6%), clay (4%), unripe mango (3%) and tamarind (2%). Most common reason for using the remedy was for better nourishment of mother (56%) where as in 34% it was used for relief of distaste, nausea and vomiting and in 17% it was used for nourishment of fetus as well as for mother. No side effects were reported. In 21%, Dais or TBAs (traditional birth attendants) suggested remedies. In 18% it was advised by family members, in 13% it was self-prescribed, 6% friends advised it and in 6% it was advised by Hakeems. The use of traditional dietary remedies was higher in uneducated ladies as compared to educated ones (43%) versus 30% and the difference was highly significant (p
Page(s):
83-86
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College, Volume: 8, Issue: 2, Year: 2004