Open AccessPrevalence and risk factors of self-medication in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India
Author(s) -
Mayank Gupta,
Chanchal Kumar Dalai,
Shah Newaz Ahmed,
Deblina Sarkar,
Rajath Rao,
Santosh Kumar Nirala
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2091-0576
DOI - 10.3126/ajms.v12i12.39217
Subject(s) - medicine , miscarriage , pregnancy , cross sectional study , self medication , abortion , family medicine , obstetrics , genetics , pathology , biology
Background: Self-medication in pregnancy is a common but unsafe practice. There is a possibility of surreptitious exposure of the developing fetus to the teratogenic and abortifacient effects of the drugs.Aims and Objectives: In this study, we assessed the prevalence and risk factors of self-medication in pregnant mothers visiting the antenatal clinic in our hospital.Materials and Methods: A standard questionnaire seeking information on the socio-demographic profile, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and knowledge and habits was administered to the pregnant mothers (n=190). The risk factors of self-medication were determined using Fischer’s exact test. P<0.05 was deemed statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of self-medication in pregnancy was found to be 6.3%. Low education level (P<0.027), employed women (P<0.031), and history of miscarriage (P<0.036) in the previous pregnancy were the main determinants of self-medication in the present pregnancy.Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication in the study sample was low as compared to contemporary studies. High literacy (94.2%) and easy availability of health facility (98%) may be the possible reasons. Further studies are warranted to confirm the prevalence and risk factors of self-medication in this part of the country.