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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Med.
Sec. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 11 - 2024 |
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1379706
Prevalence and Factors of Self-Medication among Pregnant Women in Sodo Town, Southern Ethiopia: A 2021 Study
Provisionally accepted- 1 Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
- 2 Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
- 3 Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wachamo University,, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachamo University, Hosaena, Ethiopia
- 4 Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Amhara, Ethiopia
- 5 Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
Background: Self-medication is a widespread practice among pregnant women worldwide, with 44.55% practicing it. However, it can lead to incorrect diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and failure to recognize contraindications. The adverse effects of self-medication are often unknown, and they pose potential risks to maternal and fetal health. This study aims to fill the gap in knowledge concerning self-medication prevalence among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia, promoting effective strategies and interventions.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 pregnant women in Sodo town from April to June 2021. Participants were enrolled using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The association between the outcome and independent variables was assessed through bivariate logistic regression analysis. Additionally, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out, considering variables with an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) accompanied by a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and a p-value of less than 0.05, which were considered statistically significant.In this study, pregnant women aged 18-39 years participated with a 100% response rate. The study found that the prevalence of self-medication during pregnancy was 20.5%, with 8.2% using herbal medicine and 12.3% using conventional medicine. A history of selfmedication and first and second-trimester pregnancy were significantly associated with selfmedication. Specifically, a history of self-medication (AOR=6.31, 95% CI: 4.89, 9.91) and first and second-trimester pregnancy (AOR=3.47, 95% CI: 1.63, 7.38; AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.08) were linked to a higher likelihood of self-medication.The study found that 20.5% of pregnant women engaged in self-The study revealed a significant prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women, with 20.5% reported to engage in this practice. Itmedication. It also identified a strong association between a history of self-medication before pregnancy and the likelihood of self-medicating during pregnancy. Additionally, first and second-trimester pregnancies showed increased tendencies towards self-medication. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational programs and policy interventions to mitigate the risks associated with self-medication during pregnancy, particularly in the early stages of gestation.
Keywords: Self-medication practice, magnitude, Associated factors, Pregnant Women, Ethiopia
Received: 31 Jan 2024; Accepted: 09 Sep 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Gashaw, Getahun, Wassu, Menshaw, Lakew and Abebe. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Mesfin Abebe, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
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