Knowledge, beliefs, and practice of pregnant women regarding medication use during pregnancy: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and practice (KBP) of pregnant women on medication use during pregnancy, and to identify the factors influencing KBP. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of a tertiary care hospital over a period of nine months. Pregnant women receiving at least one medication were included in the study. A 19-item questionnaire was developed, validated, and used for assessing the KBP of pregnant women. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing the KBP. A total of 422 pregnant women with a mean (SD) age of 24.6 (4.05) years were included in the study. Pregnant women were having less knowledge on ‘unsafe medications’ and ‘important medications’ during pregnancy, wrong belief on ‘stopping all medications during pregnancy’, and less practice of ‘asking Pharmacist how to take medications’. It was identified hat the age, education, occupation, and area of living were the factors influencing the knowledge and practice of pregnant women on medication use. This study identified the need for improvement in knowledge and practice of pregnant women who are young, having nil or low level of education, no occupation, and living in rural areas. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Knowledge and beliefs on medication use play a vital role in medication adherence among pregnant women. Crisis in rural healthcare along with socio-demographic conditions and literacy status of Indian women may have contributed to the lack of understanding about use of medications during pregnancy. What the results of this study add? The knowledge of pregnant women was found to be insufficient on ‘unsafe medications’ and ‘important medications’ during pregnancy. Majority of the pregnant women believe that it is better for the foetus if they ‘stop taking all medications during pregnancy’. ‘Not asking Pharmacist how to take medications’ is one important practice in India contributes less knowledge on medication use. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? There is a need for improvement in knowledge and practice of medication use among pregnant women who are young, having nil or low level of education, no occupation, and living in rural areas.