The public defence will be held as a video conference over Zoom.
The defence will follow regular procedure as far as possible, hence it will be open to the public and the audience can ask ex auditorio questions when invited to do so.
Click here to participate in the public defence
Due to copyright reasons, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. In order for the faculty to have time to process the order, it must be received by the faculty no later than 2 days prior to the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. Inquiries regarding the thesis after the public defence must be addressed to the candidate.
Digital Trial Lecture – time and place
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Bisrat Hailemeskel, Howard University, Washington, US
- Second opponent: Senior lecturer Lucy Ida Kululanga, Kamuzu College of Nursing, Blantyre Campus Malawi
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Researcher Prudence Atukunda, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Associate Professor Ruth Prince, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Senior Researcher Fekadu Abebe, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo
Summary
Medicinal plants and pharmaceutical medicines are widely used in Africa; however, there is scarcity of studies about their use in pregnant and lactating women. The aims of this project were to investigate the use, predictors of use and safety of pharmaceutical and plant medicines among pregnant and lactating women. A systematic review; followed by interview, prospective follow-up and clinical audit of hospitalized pregnant or postpartum women were conducted at Jimma University Medical Center in Southwest Ethiopia.
The prevalence of medicinal plant use during pregnancy in Africa varied widely from 2% to 100%. Almost one-third of the pregnant women had used medicinal plants and a similar number of pregnant women had self-medicated with pharmaceutical medicines, separately or simultaneously, in Ethiopia. Nearly three-fourths of pharmaceutical medicines used for self-medication were probably safe to use during pregnancy. On the other hand, nearly three-fourths of medicinal plants used by pregnant women were either potentially harmful or did not have sufficient safety information. Nearly 3 out of 10 hospitalized pregnant and lactating women had one or more medication related problem (MRPs).
Overall, individual or concomitant use of medicinal plant and pharmaceutical medicine is common during pregnancy and lactation. Various interrelated factors are significantly associated with use of plant and pharmaceutical medicines, and occurrence of MRPs. Ensuring access to health facilities and essential medicines, and creating awareness about appropriate use of various treatment modalities among pregnant women, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders are vital for improved maternal healthcare.
Additional information
Contact the research support staff.