Abstract
Background: The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries. There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The Northwest region of Cameroon has been affected by socio-political crisis since 2016, which has slowed down economic activities and have grievous effects on the economy. It was therefore necessary to evaluate the prevalence of auto-medication amongst pregnant women. Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain the knowledge, prevalence and practice of auto medication among pregnant women in Cameroon especially in the North West Region. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women, aged between 15 - 45 years in the Bamenda Health District between January to October 2019. A structured questionnaire based interview was used to collect data from each study subject. Then, data were categorized and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Results: The prevalence of auto-medication (allopathic and herbal medicines) in this study was 337 (67.4%) and was predominant during the first trimester 246 (72.86%) of pregnancy. 98 (29.09%) previous experience, 70 (20.77%) that they did not have money for consultation, 70 (20.77%) non-severity of ailments and 75 (22.25%) high cost of medication in hospital/pharmacy were the most common reason pregnant women auto medicate. 96 (28.48%) antiemetic, 72 (21.36%) analgesics and 58 (17.21%) antacids were the most frequent drugs used for auto-medication and the main symptoms for which pregnant women practice auto-medication were: 72 (21.36%) fever/headache, 63 (18.69%) constipation and 58 (17.21%) nausea/vomiting. 116 (34.42%) friends/family/neighbors were the main source of recommendation in auto medication. 96 (28.49%) of the self-medicating pregnant women, self-medicate with local herbs and 40 (41.66%) blood leaves (iron supplement) was the most used plant (herbs) in our study. Conclusion: We conclude that after 3 years of crisis in this region, the prevalence of auto-medication is increasing at a geometric rate and becoming a practical routine. Adequate counselling of reproductive age girls by healthcare professionals about the potential risks of self-medication with herbal medicine and allopathic drugs during pregnancy is strongly recommended.
Highlights
Nowadays, the excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries [1]
Distribution of Respondents According to Ages 500 pregnant women patient aged range from 15 - 45 years were involved in this study
This is in line to findings from Nigeria [4] and Ethiopia [13], which reported that majority of the pregnant women in their research had attained at least secondary education
Summary
The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries [1]. In most developing countries such as Cameroon where there is ready accessibility to drugs, the likelihood that people will auto medicate is high, with the inclusion of pregnant women [4] [5]. The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries. Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain the knowledge, prevalence and practice of auto medication among pregnant women in Cameroon especially in the North West Region. Results: The prevalence of auto-medication (allopathic and herbal medicines) in this study was 337 (67.4%) and was predominant during the first trimester 246 (72.86%) of pregnancy. Adequate counselling of reproductive age girls by healthcare professionals about the potential risks of self-medication with herbal medicine and allopathic drugs during pregnancy is strongly recommended
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