International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 8, Issue 2 (March-April 2026) Submit your research before last 3 days of April to publish your research paper in the issue of March-April.
Submit Research Paper Join as a Reviewer

Plagiarism is checked by the leading plagiarism checker TurnItIn

Call for Paper

Volume 8 Issue 2
March-April 2026

Submit your research paper

Indexing Partners
Academia Advanced Sciences Index Bielefeld Academic Search Engine CiteSeer DRJI Google Scholar Independent Search Engine & Directory Network ISI (International Scientific Indexing) Issuu Mendeley Research Networks
RefSeek ResearcherId - Thomson Reuters ResearchGate Scirus Scribd Semantic Scholar UTeM - Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Wiki for Call for Papers WorldCat Zenodo

Cultural Significance and Social Beliefs of Traditional Herbal Medicines for Labour in Zambia: A Qualitative Study

Author(s) Ms. MARGARET SIATWIKO, Dr. Loveness A. Nkhata
Country Zambia
Abstract Background: Traditional Herbal Medicines (THMs) remain integral to maternal healthcare across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Zambia demonstrating particularly high utilization rates during pregnancy and childbirth. These medicines are deeply embedded within complex cultural frameworks that extend beyond pharmacological applications to encompass spiritual, social, and ritualistic dimensions of maternal care. Despite growing interest in traditional herbal medicines in Zambia, no studies have explored their cultural significance for labour in Mazabuka. Documentation on remedies, preparation, and use in pregnancy remains scarce. Filling this gap will advance understanding, guide health practices, and inform drug discovery.
Purpose: This study examined the cultural significance and social beliefs surrounding traditional herbal medicine use during labour in Mazabuka District, Zambia, with particular attention to understanding how these practices intersect with contemporary maternal healthcare delivery systems.
Methodology: A qualitative ethnographic design incorporating phenomenological inquiry was employed to explore THM practices within their natural cultural context. Forty participants, including Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Community Health Workers (CHWs), and herbalists, were purposively recruited from Kaleya community in Mazabuka District. Data collection utilized multiple methods including five focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and traditional recipe documentation to ensure comprehensive triangulation.
Findings: Thematic analysis revealed five core themes that illuminate the multifaceted role of THMs in labour management. These encompassed labour acceleration and augmentation practices, ritualistic remedies for spiritually attributed complications such as Inchila (delayed labour linked to spousal infidelity), herbal interventions for birth canal preparation, spiritual conceptualization of labour pain as divine ordinance, and community awareness of potential complications despite attribution uncertainties. Ten distinct traditional medicines were identified, ranging from plant-based remedies to ritualistic substances, each with specific cultural protocols governing their preparation and administration.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the necessity for integrative maternal healthcare approaches that acknowledge and respect traditional knowledge systems while ensuring safety through scientific validation. Collaborative frameworks between conventional healthcare providers and traditional practitioners represent a critical pathway toward improving maternal and perinatal outcomes in culturally diverse Zambian communities.
Keywords Keywords: Traditional herbal medicines, maternal health, labour practices, cultural beliefs, Traditional Birth Attendants, Community Health Workers, ethnobotany, Zambia
Field Sociology > Health
Published In Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2025
Published On 2025-10-10
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.57160
View / Download PDF File

Share this



E-ISSN 2582-2160
CrossRef

CrossRef DOI is assigned to each research paper published in our journal.

IJFMR DOI prefix is
10.36948/ijfmr

Downloads
Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 1Cover Page Vol 7 Isu 6

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA Open Access

About IJFMR
Fees & Payment
Current Issue
Publication Archive 		Submit Research Paper
Track Submission Status
Publication Guidelines
Publication Ethics
Peer Review & Plagiarism 		Join as a Reviewer
Editors & Reviewers
Reviewer Referral Program
Get Reviewer Membership Certi. 		Website/Journal Policies
Usage Policy
Content Policies
Privacy Policy
Contact Us +91-9687-828-838 editor@ijfmr.com
Powered by Sky Research Publication and Journals