Exploring factors influencing the use of herbal medicines among pregnant and birthing women in Tanzania: A scoping review

The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy, labour, and delivery remains widespread in Tanzania, driven by cultural traditions, accessibility, and perceived effectiveness. Despite their popularity, there is limited evidence on the underlying determinants that influence their use among pregnant and birthing women. This scoping review aimed to synthesise the available literature on factors associated with the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy, labour, and/or delivery in Tanzania. A scoping review was conducted to identify factors associated with herbal medicine use during pregnancy and childbirth in Tanzania. English language studies published between 2010 and 2025 were searched in Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect. Eligible studies were screened, and data were extracted using a standardised form. Extracted data were analysed thematically to identify socioeconomic, healthcare-related, and cultural factors influencing herbal medicine use among pregnant women. A total of 1,233 records were screened, and 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising four quantitative and three qualitative studies with sample sizes ranging from 16 to 3,530 participants. The prevalence of herbal medicine use ranged from 10.9% to 61.2%. Socio-demographic factors associated with use included low education, low income, peasant or homemaker occupation, and being divorced, separated, or widowed. Obstetric factors included fewer than four antenatal care visits, previous herbal use, and home deliveries. Health system factors were long distance to facilities, dissatisfaction with conventional care, and lack of provider discouragement. Individual and cultural beliefs included perceived efficacy, safety, hastening labour, and spiritual protection, while community and interpersonal influences included advice from relatives and traditional norms supporting herbal use. Herbal medicine use during pregnancy, labour, and delivery in Tanzania is influenced by socio-demographic, cultural, and health system factors. Strengthening antenatal counselling, community education, and culturally sensitive maternal care may reduce unsafe use.