RESUMO
The present study was done to assess Knowledge and practices of expectant women regarding drug intake during pregnancy. To achieve this aim, a simple random sample of 400 pregnant women during their last trimester of pregnancy were selected. A specially designed interview schedule was developed and used to collect the necessary data about the study subjects. The interview schedule consisted of four main parts to cover the following: 1. General characteristics of the sample. 2. Obstetrical characteristics of the sample 3. Knowledge about drug intake during pregnancy. 4. Practices of the study subjects in relation to drug intake during pregnancy. 5. Factors affecting their knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy. The main findings of the study were: 1. In general, the study sample lacked the essential knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy especially in relation to the risk time for taking drugs in which nearly one-fifth of the sample (19.5%) did not know that it is risky to take drugs during pregnancy without doctor's order. 2. Regarding the practices of the study subjects in relation to drug intake during pregnancy, it was observed that the majority of the sample (86%) took drugs without prescription such as vitamins and general tonics, antacids, analgesics, anti-emetics, sedatives and antibiotics to treat their minor or major complaints during pregnancy. 3. In this study, it was also found that certain factors seemed to affect women's knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy. It was more obvious to observe that nearly two-thirds (60.8%) of women whose age was less than 30 years were more likely to have inadequate and poor knowledge in this respect. It was observed that the majority (81.9%) of illiterate women were more likely to have inadequate and poor knowledge about drug intake during pregnancy. It was also found that nearly three-quarters (72.3%) of housewives were more likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge. It was also noticed that the majority (81.5%) of the primigravidae women were more likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge. It was also noted that the majority of women (87.1%) who had previous abortions were more likely to have poor and inadequate knowledge.
PIP: In Egypt, 400 randomly selected pregnant women attending prenatal clinics affiliated with El-Shatby Maternity Hospital, Dar El-Welada Hospital, Gamal Abdel Nasser Hospital, Boharram Bay Maternal and Child Health Center, and Bacous Maternal and Child Health Center were interviewed to determine their knowledge of and practices related to drug intake during pregnancy. 47.7% had adequate knowledge (i.e., 75% correct answers) of drug use during pregnancy. Only 14% did not use any drugs during pregnancy. The remaining 86% used drugs without a prescription. The most common drugs used were vitamins and tonics (78.8%), antacids (66.5%), analgesics (41.8%), and antiemetics (35.5%). The leading reasons for drug use included general weakness (78.8%), heart burn and indigestion (66.5%), headaches (41.8%), vomiting (35.5%), and cough and insomnia (27.5%). Factors associated with poor knowledge of drug use during pregnancy were: younger than 30, illiteracy, being a housewife, primigravidity, and history of abortion (p 0.05 for all factors). These findings indicate a need to inform pregnant women about the dangers of drug use during pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Nurses should play a key role in communicating these risks.
