Background Severe acute respiratory infections are a group of respiratory tract infections caused by a beta coronavirus (SARS-COV2).Corona Virus Disease ("COVID-19") is a family of SARS caused by a novel coronavirus that has recently spread rapidly throughout the world. The literature reveals gaps in preventive measures for specific groups, such as pregnant women. Thus, this study was aimed at assessing this gap to help with interventions. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to 30, 2022, in the Dire Dawa city administration, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select participants, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data were entered and cleaned by Epi DATA (Version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS (Version 22). A P-value < 0.25 at bivariate to select variables for multivariate and ≤ 0.05 at multivariate with 95% confidence intervals was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 404 participants were included, for a response rate of 96.4%. About 60.6 percent and 46.3 percent of pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) were knowledgeable and had good practice against COVID-19 prevention measures, respectively. The predictors for knowledge were urban residence (AOR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.06–0.17), media exposure (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.17–3.40), antenatal care visits (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.33–5.35), and parity (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18–0.88). While urban residence (AOR = 6.60, 95% CI: 4.01–10.90), low income (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.37–0.93), and wanted pregnancy (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.01–3.04) were predictors for practice, Conclusion Knowledge of pregnant women on COVID-19 was moderate compared to other studies, but their prevention practice was poor. Increased health education programs about COVID-19 were recommended for both urban and rural areas, as well as at hospital ANC wards.
Background: Indigenous herbal medicine use during pregnancy is a common phenomenon worldwide, particularly in low resource countries like Ethiopia, mainly due to their cost, perceived efficiency in treatment, and ease of access. But so far, studies across Ethiopia are variable and inconsistent and in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing indigenous herbal medicine use and its associated factors among pregnant women. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public health facilities in the Dire Dawa Administration, eastern Ethiopia, from October 10 to November 10, 2022, among pregnant women selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and data were entered and cleaned by Epi DATA (Version 3.1) and analyzed using SPSS (Version 22). A P-value < 0.25 at bivariate to select variables for multivariate and ≤ 0.05 at multivariate with 95% confidence intervals was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 628 participants were included, yielding a response rate of 95.15 %. During their current pregnancy, 47.8% (95% CI: 43.8–51.6%) pregnant women used indigenous herbal medicine(IHMs). The predictors were education level: no formal education (AOR: 5.47, 95%CI: 2.40-12.46), primary level (AOR: 4.74, 95%CI: 2.15-10.44), rural residence (AOR: 2.54, 95%CI: 1.71-3.77), being a housewife (AOR: 4.15, 95%CI: 1.83-9.37), number of antenatal care visits (AOR: 2.58, 95%CI: 1.27-5.25), and knowledge of IHMs (AOR: 4.58, 95% CI: 3.02-6.97). Conclusion: The use of indigenous herbal medicine during pregnancy was as common and widespread as other research done in different areas. The predictors were residence, education level, occupation, number of antenatal care visits, and knowledge. The most commonly used herbal medicines were Lepidium sativum, Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Linum usitatissimum, Zingiber officinale, Eucalyptusglobulus, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. The most common indications were related to gastro-intestinal problems: intestinal parasites, nausea and vomiting, constipation, stomach aches, indigestion, and abdominal cramps. It was recommended that, considering their residence and education level, pregnant women during their ANC visits be made aware of the potential benefits and risks of indigenous herbal medicine, and that more research be conducted to confirm their efficacy and safety during pregnancy.
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