Abstract
The study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and medication use of a random sample of pregnant women attending outpatient Gynecology and Obstetrics clinics at randomly selected public General and Teaching hospitals in Naples, Italy. A total of 503 women participated. Those more likely to know that a pregnant woman with chronic condition must discuss whether or not to take a medication with the physician were Italian, aged 31–40 years, employed, with no history of abortion, having had a medical problem within the previous year, with a better self-perceived health status, who knew how to use medications during pregnancy, and who needed information on medications. The knowledge of the potential risk of using non-prescribed medications during pregnancy was significantly higher in employed women, who received information from physicians, who knew how to use medications during pregnancy, and who knew the possible damages related to medications use. More than half had used at least one medication. Those aged 26–35 years, Italian, non-graduated, in the third trimester, having had a medical problem within the previous year, with a risky pregnancy, and with a knowledge that women with chronic condition must discuss whether or not to take a medication with the physician were more likely to use medication. Less than half had used medication without a physician’s advice. Those who were more likely to self-medicate were older, Italian, multiparous, with no history of abortion, who knew that women with chronic condition must discuss whether or not to take a medication with the physician, who did not know the potential risk of using non-prescribed medication during pregnancy, who had used prescribed medication during pregnancy, and who needed information about medications. Educational programs for women about medication use are important to increase their knowledge of the potential risks to the pregnant women and the unborn child in order to reduce self-medication.
Highlights
IntroductionThere is evidence that inappropriate medications use during pregnancy may put the mother at greater potential risk for several maternal and unborn child adverse outcomes [7,8]
The majority (74.7%) were aware that a woman with chronic health condition must discuss whether or not to use a medication with the physician during pregnancy, 81.1% knew the possibility of harm to the unborn due to medications use during pregnancy, 41.9% knew the possibility of damage to their health, and 83.1% recognized the potential risk of using non-prescribed medications during pregnancy and the need to receive a medical advice
57.8% would welcome in learning more about medications use during pregnancy. This survey used a large sample of pregnant women to examine their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward medications use and their associated factors and provides important information that can guide intervention and activities by policy-makers and health professionals
Summary
There is evidence that inappropriate medications use during pregnancy may put the mother at greater potential risk for several maternal and unborn child adverse outcomes [7,8]. Studies addressing the level of knowledge, the attitudes, and the medications use among pregnant women, to the best of authors’ knowledge, have been not located in Italy to date. Acquiring this information no doubt could be useful for counseling and developing strategies/policies in order to support pregnant women to make informed decisions since, in Italy, the prenatal healthcare is provided free of charge in public and private accredited hospitals by delivering evidence-based interventions at four critical times during pregnancy. The objectives were to characterize knowledge, attitudes, and medications use during the pregnancy and to investigate which characteristics are associated with these outcomes
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