Information sources and factors influencing the use of herbal medicine among women during pregnancy and childbirth in rural Lilongwe, Malawi: A qualitative study

Existing literature shows increased use of herbal medicine during pregnancy, childbirth, and when tackling associated problems among Malawian women. Beyond Malawi, herbal medicine use is also common among women during pregnancy and childbirth in other parts of the world. However, little is known about the precise information sources and factors that affect women’s use of herbal medicine in Malawi, especially in rural areas where it is commonly practiced. This study aimed at exploring information sources and understanding factors that influence herbal medicine use during pregnancy and childbirth among women living in the rural Lilongwe, Malawi. This is a qualitative descriptive study on 28 female participants purposively identified from four villages (Kagona, Champsinja, Mthupi, and Manja) of Traditional Authority Malili in rural Lilongwe, Malawi. Data were collected from four focus group discussions, with each group consisting of 6 – 8 women, and their discussions were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis method. The findings indicated that previous obstetric experiences (negative and positive), quick relief from labor pain, hastened delivery process, fear of abandonment by guardian during childbirth, and encouragement from peers (friends) are key factors influencing herbal medicine use in rural Lilongwe. We also found that peers (friends), parents, and traditional birth attendants are major sources of information regarding herbal medicine use in Malawi. This study concludes that herbal medicine use during pregnancy and childbirth in rural Malawi is largely influenced by previous labor experiences and fears of being abandoned during labor and childbirth, and that information on herbal medicine use is often sourced from peers, parents, and traditional birth attendants. Thus, this study sheds light on how the community-led pathways can be exploited to influence the decisions to use herbal medicine among women in the rural areas of Malawi.