Analysis of factors related to medicine consumption pattern in pregnant women (Field study at Jagir Public Health Center, Surabaya in 2023)

Abstract

Medications can have unintended effects on the fetus during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman may experience various complaints or health problems that require medication. Improper use of medication during pregnancy and inadequate nutrient intake can cause structural and functional abnormalities. Congenital anomalies occur in 3–4% of pregnancies, and in addition, improper medication use has been estimated to be the cause of abnormalities in 10% of births [1].This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with medication use patterns in pregnant women in the Jagir Public Health Centre Surabaya, in relation to the history of health problems experienced by the mother before pregnancy, complaints experienced by the mother during pregnancy, the status of consultation by pregnant women to health workers, and the status of recommendation of close people of pregnant women regarding the use of certain medications during pregnancy. The research method used was observational with a cross-sectional research design. Data collection was carried out in June-September 2023, using purposive sampling, with the research subjects being pregnant women in the working area of the Jagir Public Health Centre Surabaya. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire for the use of medication in pregnant women that has been tested for validity and reliability. Statistical data analysis used Chi-Square test with a significance level of 5% and the help of SPSS 25.0 software. The results of the study showed that of the total respondents of 122 pregnant women, 17.2% had a history of health problems before pregnancy, 49.2% had complaints experienced during pregnancy, but 91.8% of respondents had consulted with health workers and 56.6% had received recommendations from close people regarding the use of certain medications. Pregnant women who received and consumed prescription drugs were 16.4%, had consumed over-the-counter drugs 23%, consumed herbal 24.6%, and consumed supplements 97.5%. The results of the Chi-Square test showed that there was a significant effect on the relationship between the mother's medical history and the pattern of prescription drug consumption (p = 0.000), the complaints experienced by the mother during pregnancy with the pattern of prescription drug and over-the-counter drug consumption (p = 0.042; 0.000), the status of recommendation of close people of pregnant women with the pattern of over-the-counter drug and herbal consumption (p = 0.000; 0.001). From this study showed that the factors that influence the medication use patterns of pregnant women included the mother's history of health problems before pregnancy, the complaints experienced by the mother during pregnancy, and the status of recommendation from the close people of pregnant women.