TITLE:
Impact of Traditional Oxytocics on the Course of Labour in Maternity Wards in Parakou (Benin) in 2022
AUTHORS:
Nouéssewa Fanny Maryline Hounkponou, Alex Wilfred Peto Tagne, Mahublo Vodouhe, Roger Klikpezo, Aurelle Yeyinou Ahouingnan, Hubert Laourou, Hervé Léon Iloki, René Xavier Perrin
KEYWORDS:
Oxytocic Plants, Childbirth, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The use of oxytocic plants (OPs) to facilitate childbirth is old and it is
a common practice in the world, particularly
in northern Benin. Objective: To study the effect of oxytocic plants on the progress of labour. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional and
analytical study with prospective data collection conducted in the public
maternity hospitals of Parakou from 15 July 2022 to 15 August 2022. All the parturients
admitted to the maternity units were included. Data were entered and processed using
Epi Data 3.1fr, Epi info 7.1.3.3 and Excel 2010. The difference was statistically
significant for a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Of 297 parturients surveyed, 109 had used OPs, representing a frequency of
use of 36.7%. The average age was 27.5 ± 8.9 years, with extremes
of 17 and 45 years. They were in common-law unions (54.1%), housewives (32.1%),
from Muslim religion (53.2%), from Bariba ethnic
group and related (30.3%) and from a rural area (60.5%). These parturients were pauciparous (37.6%) and primiparous
(44.9%). Six OPs were used by the parturients. These were Hybanthus enneaspermus (40.7%), Schrankia
leptocarpa (12.0%), Ceratotheca sesamoides (35.2%), Cassytha filiformis (5.6%), Selaginella lepidophylla (5.6%) and Newbouldia leavis (18.5%). The parturients
used the leaves (90.6%) and decoction (97.2%). The administration was oral (99.0%) without precise dosage
(85.3%) in the third trimester of pregnancy (84.41%) and facilitated delivery
(99.1%). Fon and related ethnic groups (p = 0.014), Yoruba and related ethnic groups
(p = 0.031), rural background (p = 0.032) and multiparity (p = 0.04) were the factors
associated with OPs use. These parturients had a higher risk of caesarean delivery
(p = 0.001; OR = 1.8 [1.23 - 2.65]), dynamic dystocia (p = 0.001; OR = 1.3 [1.12
- 1.49]), burnout syndrome (p = 0.002; OR = 1.1 [1.02 - 1.17]), uterine rupture
(p = 0.032; OR = 1.1 [0.97 - 1.17]), rapid labour (p = 0.001; OR = 1.6 [1.38 - 2.00]),
and risk of postpartum haemorrhage (p = 0.002; OR = 1.15 [1.05 - 1.27]). In contrast, parturients’ use of OPs was found
to reduce the risk of their newborns being transferred to neonatology (p
= 0.002; OR = 0.50 [0.31 - 0.79]) and dying at birth (p = 0.021;
OR = 0.19 [0.03 - 0.94]). Conclusion: The use of OPs is widespread in Parakou. Several factors were associated with
it. This use had a protective effect on newborns. This study shows the need to determine the active ingredients of these OPs and emphasise
a safer use of them.