title: Determinants of self medication practices among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency and evaluate the factors underlining self-medication with orthodox and herbal medicines among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Setting Antenatal clinics at the major antenatal care facility in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cross-sectional study with a pre-tested 15-item structured questionnaire over a 12 week period among 1,650 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics at a major antenatal care facility in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Data analysis was done with Chi-square, multivariate logistic regression and summary statistics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency and major factors associated with self-medication in pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response and completion rate was 96.6% (1,594) [mean age ± SD 27 ± 5.3 years]. The majority of the respondents were literate (92.6%), self-employed (61.5%) and in the third trimester (49.5%). A significant majority (63.8%) used self-medication (orthodox and herbal medicines) as their first response to perceived ill-health (P < 0.001). Self-medication in pregnancy was strongly associated with self-employment (OR: 3.8 (2.6-4.7), unemployment (OR: 2.6 (1.4-4.2) and third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 4.2 (3.1-5.6). The major over-the-counter medicines and potentially harmful prescription medicines kept at home for self-medication were Paracetamol, vitamins and haematinics; and piroxicam, dipyrone, chloramphenicol and Diazepam respectively. About one-third of the respondents who self-medicated (1,017) used local herbs (31.2%). The most frequent source of the medicines purchased during self-medication was patent medicine stores (55%). Mothers-in-law and relatives (41.3%) were the most frequently cited sources of advice during self-medication. Miscarriage/bleeding (44.3%) was the most frequently cited potential adverse effect that could occur with the use of certain medicines during pregnancy. Only 32% of respondents could identify medicines that are potentially harmful in pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poorly guided self-medication with prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medicines is pervasive and significantly associated with gestational age and occupational pattern among pregnant women in Ibadan, south-western. A majority lacked the knowledge of potential adverse outcomes associated with the use of certain medicines, and the potentially harmful medicines to avoid during pregnancy.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Administration and Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa. yusuffkby@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Kazeem B
authors: KB
authors: Yusuff
authors: Louis-Domeih
authors: LD
authors: Omarusehe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D028321:Plant Preparations; D055553:Prescription Drugs