Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39789567›Full record

ArticleInternational breastfeeding journal2025

Reasons, associated factors, and attitudes toward breastfeeding mothers' use of complementary medicine products: a study from Türkiye.

Demet Deniz Bilgin, Nalan Karabayir, Hatice Bilge Çetinkaya, Aybüke Kacir, Özlem Öçal, Mine Başibüyük, Övgü Büke

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International breastfeeding journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Demet Deniz BilginInstutite of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey. ddenizdoganci@gmail.com.
Nalan KarabayirDepartment of Pediatrics, International School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Hatice Bilge ÇetinkayaFaculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Aybüke KacirInstutite of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Özlem ÖçalInstutite of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mine BaşibüyükInstutite of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Övgü BükeInstutite of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of Complementary Medicine Products (CMPs) has been increasing worldwide, including among breastfeeding mothers. This study aims to investigate the reasons and associated factors of CMP use among breastfeeding mothers in Turkey, alongside their attitudes and experiences.

methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, anonymous online survey between 17 December 2023 and 17 March 2024. Women from diverse regions across Türkiye, aged 18 years or older, with a child aged 36 months or younger, who were currently breastfeeding or had breastfed, were invited to participate in the survey.

resultsAmong 445 mothers who completed the survey, 334 (75.1%) reported using at least one CMP during breastfeeding, with vitamin D, iron supplements, and fennel being the most frequently used. Educational level, employment status, and being a health worker were found to be factors associated with CMP use during breastfeeding, with those having university or higher education, being employed, or working in healthcare showing higher usage rates. The most common reasons for CMP use were "staying healthy" (60.2%) and "supporting immunity" (59.3%). While 91.9% of mothers perceived at least one CMP they used as beneficial, 14.4% of mothers using CMPs experienced adverse effects with at least one product. Safety perceptions of mothers who used CMP varied, with 45.8% believing CMPs were generally safe during breastfeeding. Among CMP users, doctors were chosen as the most trusted (n = 310, 92.8%) information source. A majority of mothers (85.6%) reported that they would like to receive more information about the safety and effectiveness of CMPs.

conclusionsBreastfeeding mothers often use CMPs to stay healthy and support immunity. While healthcare providers are the most trusted source of information, many women get advice from family, friends, or herbalists, and some use CMPs without any recommendations. This underscores the importance of healthcare providers' role in guiding mothers on the safe and informed use of both prescribed and self-prescribed CMPs.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingComplementary TherapiesHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeMothersAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornSurveys and QuestionnairesTurkeyYoung AdultBreastfeedingBreast milkComplementary medicineDietary supplementsHerbal medicine

Identifiers

PMID39789567
PMCPMC11720522

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.