Abstract
Background: Most studies on drug use during pregnancy were generally focused on potential teratogenic effects. However, beliefs and risk awareness of medications can also influence medication use and fetal well-being.Objective: This study aimed at assessing the risk awareness and beliefs on medication use among pregnant women attending antenatal care unit in an Ethiopian university hospital.Method: A cross-sectional study was employed in pregnant women who were attending for antenatal care service at Gondar University Referral Hospital from March 15, to April 15, 2016. A pretested structured interview questionnaire adopted from the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) was used for data collection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to identify possible predictors influencing the outcome variables.Result: Of the 423 women approached, 384 agreed to complete the questionnaire (90.8% response rate), and the mean age of the participants was 27.22 ± 5.5 years. More than two-thirds of the respondents had two to three (46.1%) or greater than three (25.8%) pregnancy histories. A third and nearly half (45.6%) of the respondents were on the first trimester and second trimester of their gestational age, respectively. The majority (70%) of pregnant women thought all drugs are harmful if taken during pregnancy. Only few (4.2%) of the participants did not mind taking drugs without professional advice. Most (90%) of the respondents were not willing to take drugs without professional advice. Pregnant women who came from rural areas had 25% less likelihood to self-medicate, with an adjusted odds ratio of 95% CI, 0.75 (0.37, 0.96).Conclusion: In this study, overestimated and exaggerated beliefs of medication risks during pregnancy are a concern, though cautious drug use is necessary and warranted. Adequate counseling has to be provided by physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to change pregnant women's conservative attitudes and misinformed beliefs on medication risk.
Highlights
The safety of drug use during pregnancy has gained special attention after the thalidomide incident five decades ago
A cross-sectional study was employed in the antenatal care unit of Gondar University Referral Hospital (GURH), which is located in the northwest of Ethiopia
Though knowledge and informed beliefs of pregnant women regarding the harmful effect of drugs are of great importance, incorrect or insufficient perception may lead to the unjustified termination of pregnancy [5]
Summary
The safety of drug use during pregnancy has gained special attention after the thalidomide incident five decades ago. Thalidomide caused thousands of babies worldwide to be born with malformed limbs This disastrous incident offered a tragic example of the harmful effects of drugs during pregnancy, which brought a paradigm change in pharmaceutical regulation and cautious drug use. Pregnant women should receive communication and have awareness of the benefits and potential risks of medication for an optimal therapeutic outcome [1, 2] Various reasons made it challenging to assess the true fetal risk caused by medicine use during pregnancy. Pharmacological therapy might be essential for both the fetus and the mother In such a case, pregnant women should be aware of the possible risks and benefits of drug use by discussing with physicians and other healthcare providers [7]. Beliefs and risk awareness of medications can influence medication use and fetal well-being
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