title: Utilization of over the counter medication among pregnant women; a cross-sectional study conducted at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of use of over-the-counter medication among pregnant women, types of medicines, source of information and reason to opts for self-medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, from April 14 to October 14, 2014, and comprised pregnant women who were interviewed face to face. Data was collected on a proforma comprising demographic data, practice of using over-the-counter medications before and during pregnancy, type of medicines, illnesses, knowledge about the medicines, source of recommendation and reason for practicing it. Data was analysed on SPSS 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of 351 patients in the study was 26.19±4.82 years (range: 18-45 years).The mean gestational age was 26.28±10.42. Overall, 223(63.5%) patients were using over-the-counter drugs before pregnancy; 128(36.5%) had used them in previous pregnancy; and 133(37.9%) were using them during the current pregnancy. Most common medication used was acetaminophen 58(43.6%), headache was the most common illness 80(60.2%). A total of 103(77.4%) had no knowledge about the medicines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant number of pregnant women indulged in the practice of using over-the-counter medication.
authors.affiliation: House Officer, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rabail
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bohio
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zahida Perveen
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Brohi
authors.affiliation: House Officer, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farrukh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bohio
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010154:Pakistan; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: Pregnancy, Over the counter, Awareness.