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- Title
Self-medication and Supplement Use by Pregnant Women in Kashan Rural and Urban Areas.
- Authors
Bagheri, Azam; eskandari, Narges; Abbaszadeh, Fatemeh
- Abstract
Background and purpose: Self-medication is a major health problem which could be unsafe especially in pregnancy. Considering the importance of drug side effects during pregnancy, we studied about self-medication and supplement use by pregnant women. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 303 pregnant women attending kashan health centers in 2012. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire included questions regarding maternal demographic characteristics, supplement use, self-medication, and some associated factors. To analyze the data SPSS was used. Results: A total of 303 pregnant women were studied including 99 (32.7%) rural and 204 (63.2%) urban women. During pregnancy 99 individuals took iron, 82.2% used calcium, and 92.7% took multi vitamin supplements. The majority of women had extra drugs at homes (64.7%) and used them if necessary (60.1%). Some also purchased drugs from pharmacies, without prescription (64%). The rate of self-medication was significantly higher in rural women (P=0.04). We found a significant difference between buying drugs without prescription and number of pregnancies and the age of mothers. Self-medication was observed more among those aged >30 years of old (P=0.03). Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of self-medication during pregnancy especially in rural areas, more training should be provided to healthcare workers, pharmacy staff, midwives, and pregnant women.
- Publication
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (JMUMS), 2014, Vol 24, Issue 115, p151
- ISSN
1735-9260
- Publication type
Article