Larisa Barnes|Lesley Barclay|Kirsten McCaffery|Parisa Aslani
Factors influencing women’s decision-making regarding complementary medicine product use in pregnancy and lactation
University of Sydney|University of Sydney|Sydney Local Health District|University of Sydney|University of Sydney
prevalence complementary medicine product cmp use pregnant breastfeeding australian mothers high however limited data factors influencing womens decisionmaking use cmps study explored described factors influencing womens decisions take cmp pregnant breastfeeding qualitative indepth interviews focus group discussions held 25 pregnant andor breastfeeding women currently used cmps participants health literacy assessed using validated singleitem health literacy screening question newest vital sign interview focus group discussions audiorecorded transcribed verbatim thematically analysed participants homogenous group higher education medium high incomes high health literacy skills actively sought information multiple sources used reiterative collation assessment process decisionmaking take take cmps informed need establish safety cmps well possible benefits harms babys health could result taking cmp specific information needs included desire access comprehensive consistent clear easy understand evidencebased information women preferred access information reputable sources namely trusted health care practitioners information linked government hospital websites published research lack comprehensive clear consistent evidencebased information often led decisions take cmp felt unable adequately establish safety benefits conversely participants felt cmps information collected good quality reputable sources reassured safety cmp pregnancy andor breastfeeding confirmed clear benefit baby likely decide take cmp participants demographic profile confirms previous research concerning australian women use cmps pregnancy lactation participants high health literacy skills led engage reiterative informationseeking analysis process fuelled need find clear information making decision take take cmp