NAUSEA AND VOMITING OF PREGNANCY AND ITS CONTROL MEASURES AS SEEN IN TWO TERTIARY CARE FACILITIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Due to the concerns about the possible harmful effects of medications on foetuses, pregnant women prefer to control the symptoms of Nausea and Vomiting during pregnancy by personal, familial, and traditional measures. The Objective of the study is to identify the control measures that pregnant women use with NVP and determine its impact on their daily lives.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey of pregnant women at two Hospitals in Osun state was conducted. Five hundred pregnant women were recruited, and data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, control measures of NVP and its impact on daily life. Frequencies and proportions were generated for socio-demographic variables, control measures of NVP and its effects on everyday life.

Results: 352 (70.4%) women experienced the symptoms of NVP. The most frequently taken agent for the control of NVP was chewing gum 145 (41.2%). Other interventions include sweets 82 (23.2%), bitter kola 72 (20.5%), prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs 63 (17.9%), bitter leaf 54 (15.3%), ginger 43 (12.2%) and kola nut 29 (8.2%). NVP affected the daily activities of 53.8%, while 81.9% were discouraged from getting pregnant again due to the symptoms. However, 18 (5.1%) have ever considered terminating a pregnancy due to NVP.

Conclusion: There was a high incidence of NVP among the respondents. Most respondents perceived that NVP affected their daily lives with a severe impact on their intent to become pregnant again.