Nazan Tayar Ozturk, Kiymet Yesilcicek Calik
Medicine Science - 2026;15(2):862-868
This study aimed to determine the prevalence, motivations, and influencing factors associated with the use of herbal products and pharmaceuticals among pregnant women in Türkiye. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,000 pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital between October 2020 and April 2021. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, the Herbal Products and Pharmaceuticals Use Questionnaire, and selected items from the Rational Drug Use Scale. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with product use. Overall, 71.3% of participants reported using herbal products and pharmaceuticals during pregnancy. Linden, chamomile, and peppermint were the most frequently used products across all trimesters. Psychological relief, cold symptoms, and sleep regulation were the leading reasons for use. While 75.3% of women believed herbal products were safe alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals, 58.3% expressed concerns about potential harms. Multivariate analysis identified occupation, non-smoking status, planned pregnancy, and prescribed medication use as significant predictors of herbal products use (p<0.05). The widespread use of herbal products and pharmaceuticals among pregnant women highlights the need for targeted antenatal counseling to address safety misconceptions and support informed decision-making. These findings provide critical insight into maternal health behaviors and have implications for clinical practice, health education, and public health policy in maternal care settings.
