ATTITUDE OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS ROUTINE DRUGS USAGE

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ATTITUDE OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS ROUTINE DRUGS USAGE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Health literacy determines women’s knowledge about non-prescription drugs and their utilization of such drugs. Although, OTC (over the counter) drugs are intended for self-medication and are of established efficacy and safety, their inappropriate use due to lack of knowledge of their side effects and interactions could have serious insinuation, especially in special population groups like children, elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers.

For example, Kline and Westberg conducted a study on the perceived safety of non-prescription or OTC medications and most (62.3%) participant considered OTC safe, but would talk to a health professional before using while 13.1% regarded them as unsafe and would not use during pregnancy. A Saudi study examining the use, attitudes and knowledge of medication among pregnant women reported that 57.9% believed that physicians prescribe too many medicines, 52.6% believed that by taking more time with patients; the doctor would prescribe fewer medicines, 78.9% of pregnant women agreed that it would be better for the fetus if they cease medications, while 88.2% supported the statement about being more careful in using medications during pregnancy, 26.3% agreed that all medicines are poisons, 28.9% agreed that drugs do more

harm than good.

In a questionnaire-based descriptive study of 410 antenatal clients attending primary, secondary and tertiary centers in Ibadan, Nigeria, it was found that 19.2% of the women self-medicated. The most used medicines were hemanthinics and analgesics such as acetaminophen.[9] In another study on Potential risk and hazard of self medication among pregnant women in Uyo, Nigeria, reported that 27.6% of the women self medicated.

A study examining prescription, OTC and herbal medicine use in a rural, obstetric population, in West Virginia, US, found that 92.6% self-medicated with at least one OTC product. In addition, 20.8% took five or more OTC medications during pregnancy. They noted a trend of increased use as pregnancy progressed, especially with acetaminophen, calcium carbonate, cough drops and guaifenesin. Other common over-thecounter medications used included ibuprofen, aspirin, prenatal vitamins and non-sedating antihistamines.[5] A Saudi study reported 40% of the pregnant women used medications, the most commonly used drugs were paracetamol (acetaminophen) and vitamins (13.2% each), antibiotics (2.6%), herbal remedies (4.6%) and medications to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (2.6%), NSAIDs, antihistamines and heartburn medications (1.3%). While majority (59.9%) of the women mentioned they had not taken medication during pregnancy.

Beliefs about medication have been shown to strongly associate with patients adherence to medication.[11] Mostly, these beliefs are influenced by the knowledge women have about the medicines. There are many beliefs and practices that govern this thinking and might have an effect on a woman’s willingness to take medicines during pregnancy or vice versa.[12] The Application of the health belief model applied to the study provided insight on how the health behavior of the population can be improved.[13] It is important that pregnant women have an increase knowledge and positive attitude towards drug use in order to discourage the utilization of nonprescription drugs which could incidentally lead to a decrease in the occurrence of birth defects in infants and other pregnancy complications, ensuring a safe and healthy pregnancy thus, improving maternal and child health.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, prevalence of use and risk awareness on non-prescription drugs among pregnant women in Okwe general hospital

It has been documented that congenital abnormalities caused by human teratogenic drugs accounts for less than 1% of total congenital abnormalities. During pregnancy, there are some common ailments many women experience; non-prescription medications are widely used to treat these ailments. Evidence suggests that many people involved in self-medication tend to acquire knowledge of the practice from relatives, neighbours’, medicine dealers and sometimes media. Many people, pregnant women included, use Over The Counter (OTC) medicines for their self-medication. They consider OTC medications safe because they are available without a prescription. A few OTC medicines have a proven safety profile for use during pregnancy, while others have unproven safety or are known to adversely affect the foetus

Statement of the problem

There may have been previous researches in this subject. This work gives further explanations and analysis in attitude of pregnant women towards routine drugs usage. a case study of women attending health care facilities in nakowa hospital, jema’a lga and calvary clinic jema lga, kafanchan kaduna state

Objectives of the study
To understand the impact of attitude of pregnant women towards routine drugs usage on their health status
To understand the relationship between attitude of pregnant women towards routine drugs usage and their health status

Research questions
What is the impact of attitude of pregnant women towards routine drugs usage on their health status
What is the relationship between attitude of pregnant women towards routine drugs usage and their health status