Awareness, Risk Perception and Practice of Self-Medication Among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Clinics in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: In addition to its adverse health effects on mother and fetus, self-medication is believed to be one of the main driving forces behind the increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance worldwide. This study aimed to assess the awareness, risk perception and practice of self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 pregnant women (selected by a two-stage sampling technique) attending the antenatal clinics of the Primary Healthcare Centres in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Data were collected with a set of pretested, interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: Whereas, almost all the respondents (98.4%) were aware of self-medication, less than half of them (47.3%) perceived it as a serious threat to their health and the health of their unborn baby. Majority of respondents (67.9%) had self-medicated, with the most commonly self-medicated drugs being analgesics/antipyretics (35.1%), antimalarials (31.3%) and antibiotics (24.3%). The most commonly cited reasons for self-medicating were financial problems (28.5%), lack of the required drugs in the hospital (16.8%), lack of time (12.6%), and sickness being mild (9.8%). Self-medication practice was influenced by respondents' age, marital status, educational background and perception of risk. Conclusion: This study showed low risk perception and high prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women in Sokoto, Nigeria. Sensitization of members of the public on the hazards of self-medication, poverty alleviation, and provision of comprehensive healthcare services at subsidized prices for pregnant women are hereby suggested.

Prevalence, predictors and pregnancy outcomes of unprescribed and herbal medicine use in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…The prevalence of UM in our study population is similar to those reported in other African countries [21,40] but higher than the prevalence in Indonesia [23] and Delta State, Nigeria [43]. However, higher prevalences have been reported in Tanzania [44] and other parts of Nigeria [41,[45][46][47]. Moreover, , in a study investigating maternal drug use among antenatal care attendees in a similar setting as ours about a decade ago, reported a prevalence of 19.2%, which might suggest a possible rise in the prevalence of UM [48].…”

“…Additionally, grand multiparous women had an increased likelihood of UM use. This finding has been supported by other studies [3,48,54], and it is thought that these women's drug use experience in previous pregnancies makes them less cautious about drugs compared to earlier pregnancies. This suggests the need for continuous health education, counselling and other behavioural change communication strategies like posters, health talks and radio messages to pregnant women, and offering family planning to grand multiparous women during ANC.…”

Self Medication Practices: Insights from Caregivers to Their Under Five Children in Southwestern Nigeria

“…In as much as the caregivers revealed their comprehension of the practice to be this term, then it shows they are knowledgeable on the practice. According to Attahiru et al, (2018) and Suja et al, (2019) self-medication connotes usage of drugs without doctor's consent or doctor's prescription. But this does not imply the practice is done well or wrongly.…”

“…Among pregnant women in Northern Nigeria by (Attahiru, Awosan, Hassan, and Arisegi, 2018), it was reported that almost all of them (98.4%) were aware of self-medication to be use of drug without prescription from a quali ed doctor and less than half perceived it as a serious threat to their health and the health of their unborn baby. This signi ed that most pregnant women had a moderate understanding of what the practice is and its attendance complication.…”