Drug Utilization Pattern During Pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

Background: Pregnancy is a special physiological condition where drug treatment presents a special concern. The rationale for use of drugs during pregnancy requires a careful assessment as in addition to the mother, the health and life of her unborn child also concerns. Research Question What is the pattern of drug utilization during pregnancy in females of field practice area of Urban Health Centre? Aim: To study the drug utilization pattern during pregnancy. Methodology: 500 pregnant women included in study. A house to house survey was conducted during September 2009 to February 2010. Various study parameters like; educational status, duration of pregnancy, family income per capita per month, number of antenatal visits, self medication practices, number of drugs used, number of herbal/homeopathic drugs used included the study. Results: A total of 972, 864 and 399 drugs, with an average of 6.61, 3.66, 3.41 drugs per pregnant woman were used during first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively. Category A is considered the safest category while category X is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. A majority of drugs used, were from category A, followed by category B and category D. However, category C and X drugs constituted 4.28 and 0.51% of the drugs used during the third trimester and first trimester, respectively. Herbal/ homeopathic drugs constituted 10.49% (102), 4.86% (42) and 1.94% (5) of the drugs used during first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively. It was found that self-medication and homeopathic/ herbal drugs were used more in illiterates, than in literates (p <0.001 and <0.001 respectively). Conclusion: There is a need to educate and counsel the women of child bearing age, regarding the advantages and disadvantages of drug use during pregnancies.