Prevalence of over-the-counter medication use among pregnant women: A cross-sectional study in some areas in the Palestinian West Bank
حسين الحلاق, ملفين مصطفى يوسف مصلح
كلية الصيدلة-جامعة القدس · فلسطين
Background: Over-the-counter medications are widely used by the Palestinian population,including pregnancy women. This study seeks to find out the prevalence of use OTCmedications by pregnant women, and the effects of these drugs on their pregnancy. Theobjectives of the study are concluded in finding out the level of using OTC medicationsamong pregnant women, and the awareness of the effects of such drugs on the women andtheir babies. This study has been motivated by the fact that taking of over the countermedicines has in some cases resulted in the birth of deformed babies among otherchallenges health and physical challenges.Methods: The study has employed a descriptive design. The population of the pregnantwomen will act as the target population. The sampling process was stratified by site andthe researcher interviewed 555 pregnant women as target sample. Data were collected byinterviewing the pregnant women in three main governate hospitals, in Nablus (North),Ramallah (Center), Hebron (South) and in private clinics and hospitals. These womenfilled out questionnaires to determine the prevalence of using OTC medications duringtheir pregnancy. The data is analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics andpresented by way of statistical means.Results: Of the 555 women, 391 (70.5%) women were taking OTC medications duringpregnancy. The most reported medications used were; OTC vitamins, heartburn and acidreflux medications and analgesics with a percent of use 98.0%, 97.7% and 46.8%respectively. 67.8% of these mothers were in the ages between 20-40, and 64.1% wereoverweight women. The majority of those taking OTC medications during pregnancy hadbeen directed by the doctors (58.2%), while the pharmacists were the lead source of theinformation (83.1%). 65.0% of pregnant women thought that OTC are safe, but withconsultation of the professionals and 29.5 % thought that they are totally unsafe.Conclusion:This study is the first study that detected the prevalence of OTC medications use inPalestinian pregnant women. The prevalence of use was high. We have identified thepredictors of OTC medications use and the problems faced during pregnancy leading themto take OTC medications. The lack of awareness on using these medications duringpregnancy is alarming. Educational programs should be held for increasing the awarenessamong pregnant women on the effects of OTC medications on their pregnancy.