Exploring cultural beliefs and practices for the use of herbal medicine and remedies during pregnancy in Lesotho

Abstract

This qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study explored culturally sensitive health information about the use of herbal medicine by pregnant women in Lesotho, in order to provide culturally sensitive health advice to pregnant women. Pregnant women used herbal medicine and remedies during pregnancy resulted in still births and complications during labour. Data on the beliefs and practices of fifteen purposively and conveniently sampled pregnant women attending a rural antenatal clinic was collected through semistructured interviews and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Ethical principles and strategies to ensure trustworthiness were applied. One central theme emerged: ‘Women believe that the use of herbal medicine and remedies is a traditional practice that pregnant women need to follow due to culture’. The cultural beliefs and practices of the women were deeply rooted in Basotho culture, which guided the use of herbal medicine. However, some considered herbal medicines to be harmful, as the dosage and content of these medicines vary. Nurses are therefore key to providing culturally sensitive health care advise on using herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Boithuto bona ba boleng bo botle, bo hlalosang le ho fumaneng tlhaiso-leseling e mabapi le bophelo bo botle mabapi le ts’ebeliso ea meriana ea litlama ke basali ba baimana Lesotho, ele ho fana ka likeletso tsa bophelo bo botle ba setso. Lintlha tse mabapi le litumelo le litloaelo tsa basali ba baimana ba leshome le metso e mehlano ka boomo le ka mokhoa o fumanehang li ile tsa bokelloa ka lipuisano tse hlophisitsoeng le ho hlahlojoa ho sebelisoa mekhoa e supileng ea Colaizzi. Melao-motheo ea boits’oaro le maano a ho netefatsa hore a ts’epahetse a sebelisitsoe. Ho ile hoa hlaha sehlooho se le seng se bohareng: ‘Basali ba lumela hore ts’ebeliso ea litlama ke tloaelo eo basali ba baimana ba lokelang ho e latela ka lebaka la moetlo’. Litumelo le litloaelo tsa basali li ne li metse ka metso moetlong oa Basotho, o neng o tataisa ts’ebeliso ea meriana ea litlama. Leha ho le joalo, ba bang ba ne ba nka meriana ea litlama e le kotsi, hobane litekanyetso le litlhare tsa meriana ena li ea fapana. Ka hona baoki ke senotlolo sa ho fana ka thuto ea bophelo bo botle ba setso mabapi le ho sebelisa litlama nakong ea boimana. Mehopolo ea bohlokoa Meriana ea litlama, litumelo le litloaelo tsa moetlo, basali ba baimana, thuto ea bophelo bo botle