Study design and sample size

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, and involving 383 postnatal mothers attending postnatal clinics (PNC) within the study period. The sample size was calculated using the Kish Leslie formula [34], using the formula, n = z²pq/d², where n = required sample size, z = standard normal value corresponding to 95 % confidence interval (1.96), p = estimated proportion of herbal medicine use among pregnant women, which in this case is 21 % [9], q = p-1, and d = absolute errors between estimated and true value (5 %). This was multiplied by a design effect of 1.5, giving a total sample size of 383. The study population consisted of women attending postnatal clinic in the facilities in Gulu district during the study period. Women who were critically sick at the time of the visit (5 respondents) and those who were not able to understand the questions because of language barrier (2 respondents) were excluded.