Self-Medication and Safety Profile of Medicines Used among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Jimma, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Despite the potential foetal and maternal risks of self-medication, studies on self-medication and safety profile of medicines used during pregnancy are scarce. This study determined the prevalence, predictors and safety profile of medicines used for self-medication during pregnancy at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted on 1117 hospitalized pregnant women or postpartum women in the maternity and gynaecology wards at JUMC between February and June 2017. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and by reviewing patient medical records. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Result: Nearly 3 out of 10 women reported taking at least one type of conventional medicine for self-medication, mainly analgesics 92.3%. Almost 75.0% of the self-medicated women used medicines classified as probably safe and 13.6% as potentially risky to use during pregnancy. Medicinal plant use, religion and access to a health facility near their residency were significantly associated with self-medication during pregnancy. Conclusions: Self-medication is common among pregnant women at JUMC. Most women used medicines classified as safe to use during pregnancy. There is need for enlightenment of pregnant women on the potential dangers of self-medication during pregnancy to prevent foetal and maternal risks.

Self‐medication practice with antimalarials & the determinants of malaria treatment‐seeking behavior among postpartum mothers in a rural community in Nigeria

“…However, drug prescription by doctors and the experience of adverse effects with the use of antimalarials was significantly associated with receiving malaria treatment in the clinic/hospital. The finding is supported by studies that show that the physician's approach to malaria diagnosis and treatment is an important factor in determining the adoption of appropriate malaria treatment behavior by mothers which is further corroborated by other reports that suggest that the unfriendly attitude of health workers were significant contributory factors to the practice of self‐medication 19,39‐42 …”

“…However, the major challenge is with irresponsible self‐medication practice which is more predominant in low‐and‐middle‐income countries due to the high population illiteracy, poor healthcare system, and the widespread availability of prescription medications in patent medicine stores and other drug retail outlets 4,5,17‐19 . Although several reports have emerged about self‐medication practice with antimalarials and its determinants among pregnant women, 6‐8 studies are quite scanty about self‐medication practice with antimalarials and its determinants in postpartum women, we, therefore, sought to investigate self‐medication practice and the determinants of malaria treatment in this susceptible population and identify potential areas of public health intervention for mitigating the risk of such practice for both mother and child.…”

Perilaku Swamedikasi

“…Swamedikasi mempunyai beberapa keuntungan jika dilakukan dengan benar, diantaranya adalah menghemat waktu dan biaya dalam berobat pada fasilitas kesehatan (Lei, Jiang, Liu, Ferrier, & Mugavin, 2018). Tidak dipungkiri swamedikasi juga memiliki beberapa resiko terutama di negara berkembang dengan populasi yang memiliki tingkat pengetahuan kesehatan yang rendah memperbesar resiko penggunaan obat yang tidak tepat (Ahmed, Sundby, Aragaw, & Abebe, 2020). Perilaku swamedikasi pada masyarakat Indonesia tergolong tinggi.…”

“…Perilaku swamedikasi dapat menyebabkan berbagai masalah kesehatan jika dilakukan dengan tidak tepat. Potensi risiko yang terkait dengan swamedikasi adalah diagnosis penyakit yang salah, keterlambatan dalam mencari pengobatan yang diperlukan sehingga penyakit dapat menjadi lebih berat, cara pemberian yang salah, dan dosis yang salah (Ahmed et al, 2020). Swamedikasi yang tidak tepat juga dapat menyebabkan reaksi obat yang merugikan, overdosis, dan bahkan konsekuensi fatal.…”

Chemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil of Medicinal Plants from Eastern Serbia

“…Today, pharmaceutical companies are interested in the wide range of beneficial properties of these plants in order to develop modern herbal remedies that would be used either as a replacement or supplement to conventional medicines and for prevention of illnesses [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In addition, medicinal plants are valuable raw material for perfumery and cosmetics, but also for healing purposes in self-medication [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], as well as in organic agriculture [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”