Prevalence of Herbal Medicine Utilization and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Gazo District, North Wollo, Ethiopia, 2025.

Abstract Background: About 80% of the population globally utilizes herbal medicine, especially in rural areas of developing nations including pregnancy for treating common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues. In Africa, including Ethiopia, it is a common practice during pregnancy, driven by limited access to modern healthcare and strong traditional beliefs. However, the limited evidence about the utilization of herbal medicine, especially in local areas. Objective: This study assessed the Prevalence of herbal medicine utilization and associated factors among pregnant women in Gazo District, Northeast Ethiopia, 2025. Method: Community-based cross-sectional design was used for 462 pregnant women in Gazo District, Northeast Ethiopia, 2025. A systematic random sampling method was used to select the participant's pregnant women. Four trained Health professional data collectors interviewed selected pregnant women using structured and pre-tested questionnaires. The data was entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed using Stata version 16.1. The univariable binary logistic regression model was used to fit all independent variables, and variables with p-values of ≤ 0.25 were selected as candidate variables for the multivariable binary logistic regression model. The relationship between dependent and independent variables was declared statistically significant in the final model at a p-value of ≤ 0.05 in the 95% confidence interval. Result: This study included 456 pregnant women, with a response rate of 98.7%. Two hundred sixty-five pregnant women, (58.11 %) (95% CI: 54.1.1- 61.9) reported herbal utilization. Rural resident pregnant women (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.42- 4.20), unable to read and write (AOR =3.78, 95% CI: 1.60 -8.82), and nonformal education status 5.08 (AOR =5.08, 95% CI: (2.04 -12.63), distance from a health facility (AOR: 6.06,95% CI: 3.59- 10.22), previous exposure to herbal medicine (AOR: 4.08, 95%CI: 2.19-7.58), encouraging cultural in traditional traditional practice (AOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.25-3.83) and lower antenatal care visits (AOR: 3.45, 95%CI: 1.98- 6.04) were significantly associated factors. Conclusion: Overall, the overall likelihood of herbal medicine utilization among pregnant women was high. Residence, educational level distance from the health facility, previous exposure to herbal medicine, encouraging cultural practice, and antenatal care visits were predictor variables. It is recommended that the organization raise awareness among pregnant women of the potential risks and advantages of herbal medicine use during pregnancy.