title: Drug utilization pattern in pregnant women in rural areas, India: cross-sectional observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the drug-utilization trend of pregnant women in rural areas of central India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, observational study using a questionnaire, face-to-face interview and a prescription audit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the subjects were primigravida (51.4%), from the lower socioeconomic group (71.3%) and with poor formal education. Although the drugs prescribed for them per prescription (2.66) were within rational limits, there was scope for improvement in generic (21%) and essential drugs (18%), antibiotics (9.6%) and injections (10.97%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morbidity and mortality during the antenatal period occur due to different factors. Regular drug-utilization studies following the guidelines of the World Health Organization and information, education and communication factors related to drug use by pregnant women can be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata Department of Anatomy, Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, Bankura District, West Bengal State, India.
authors.forename: Anjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.forename: Sharmistha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Raj K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires