Self-medication among pregnant women in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Opoku, Richmond; Yar, Denis Dekugmen; Botchwey, Charles Owusu-Aduomi

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10777

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Although the SMI has been a major global priority agenda in recent years, implications of medication safety in pregnancy on meeting SDG-3 initiatives in Nigerian communities is yet to be fully understood. While maternal self-medication with antibiotics is a well-known phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria (9,17,28,30,32,59), there has been limited research exploring the perspectives of key stakeholders who can in uence antimicrobial stewardship policy in the region. This is the rst qualitative study to examine the views of Nigerian medical doctors regarding antibiotic self-medication during pregnancy in Nigeria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical doctor’s perspectives on antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women from a Sub-Saharan African country

Umeh,

Adaji,

Sacks

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background. In 1987 the World Bank, in collaboration with WHO and UNFPA, launched the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) to help raise global awareness about the impact of maternal mortality and morbidity. Although the SMI has been a global priority in recent years, the implications of self-medication in pregnancy on meeting SDG-3 initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa have yet to be addressed. Nigeria has one of the highest rates of antibiotic misuse during pregnancy (37%). Furthermore, antibiotics consumed during pregnancy are linked to birth defects. Past research suggests Nigerian medical doctors are influential stakeholders who can help develop policy guidance to reduce antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women. Thus, this study explored the perspectives of Nigerian medical doctors regarding antibiotic self-medication during pregnancy. Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 medical doctors working in three Nigerian tertiary hospitals. All interviews were conducted remotely, using Zoom Video Communications software. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Several checks for methodological rigour were performed. Results. Seven distinct themes emerged: prescribing antibiotics; easy availability of antibiotics; self-medication with antibiotics; use of medicinal herbs; detecting self-medication; lack of policy guidelines on antibiotic self-medication; and side effects. The doctors’ major perspectives were that during pregnancy, the antibiotics are easily available without prescription, self-medicated without any policy guidelines, side effects alone were not sufficient proof of self-medication, and herbal medication are frequently used. . Conclusions. The data suggests antimicrobial misuse in pregnancy, especially the use of herbal medicines, is a recognised problem. The project highlights a need for policy guidance on antibiotic stewardship, including point-of-care testing to detect antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women. Implications for SMI campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa are considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical doctor’s perspectives on antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women from a Sub-Saharan African country

Umeh,

Adaji,

Sacks

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Ghanaian pregnant women self-medicate were disproportionately high. In Ghana, actions might be taken to lower the high rate of SM during pregnancy to meet sustainable development goals related to maternal health [ 22 ]. A study conducted in Thailand's metropolitan areas revealed a significant prevalence of SM among individuals of working people.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public Awareness and Practice Regarding Over-the-Counter Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Jalal,

Jalal

2024

Cureus

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Background Pharmaceuticals classified as over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also known as self-medications, in which drugs are sold directly to customers without a valid prescription. According to the World Health Organization, self-medication refers to taking medication for ailments that one has self-diagnosed. The public viewed OTC medications as safer, more effective, and beneficial, but misuse can lead to other health issues. Therefore, this study aimed to assess awareness and practices regarding OTC medications. Methodology The study employed a cross-sectional design involving the public residing in Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi Arabia. The study setting was primary health centers (PHCs) in Al-Ahsa. Four PHCs were chosen by the cluster sampling method. One PHC from each of the four health clusters (northern, southern, middle, and eastern) was selected and a total of 326 people were chosen by simple random sampling from those four PHCs. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and correlation analyses were used to analyze the results. Results The mean age of the participants was 38.26 ± 9.73 years. The overall mean knowledge score regarding OTC medications was 14.21 (SD = 3.3). About 39 (11.96%) of the participants had adequate knowledge, 184 (56.44%) had moderately adequate knowledge, and 103 (31.6%) had inadequate knowledge about the safety of using OTC medications. The overall mean score of practices was 20.7 ± 4.42. The chi-square test results showed a significant (p < 0.01) association between the level of knowledge and age, occupation, nationality, and marital status. Additionally, a positive linear relationship (r=+.386) was found between knowledge and practices regarding OTC medications. Conclusion In conclusion, many people in the present study had moderate knowledge and good practices regarding OTC medications. To protect the public from harm, there is an urgent need for more concrete regulatory control over OTC drugs and self-medication. So, it is recommended to create awareness about the proper use of OTC medications.

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“…Despite well‐documented risks to health, self‐medication during pregnancy remains a common problem in many countries. Recent meta‐analyses from Ghana and Iran have reported overall prevalence rates of self‐medication were 65.4% (95% CI; 58.2%–72.6%) 14 and 38.46% (95% CI; 27.42–49.49%), 15 respectively among pregnant women. The worldwide prevalence of self‐medication among pregnant women was documented as 32% 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of self‐medication practices among pregnant women in India: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Chaudhary,

Kumari,

Khurana

et al. 2024

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug

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BackgroundSelf‐medication practice among pregnant women is a global concern. However, its understanding in the Indian context is limited due to a lack of comprehensive studies.PurposeThis study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of self‐medication, the medications used for self‐medication, diseases/conditions associated with self‐medication, and the reasons for self‐medication among Indian pregnant women.MethodsThis study was carried out following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA). A thorough search was done in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to find articles that were published up until May 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised observational studies reporting self‐medication prevalence among pregnant women in India. Data were extracted using a standardized sheet, and a random‐effects model was applied to determine the overall prevalence of self‐medication using R software. The I2 statistic was employed to assess the heterogeneity among the studies.ResultsThis study analyzed eight studies with a collective sample size of 2208 pregnant women. The pooled prevalence of self‐medication among pregnant Indian women was 19.3% (95% CI: 7.5%–41.3%; I2 = 99%; p < 0.01). Common self‐treated conditions were cold, cough, fever, headache, and stomach disorders. Antipyretics, analgesics, antihistamines, and antacids were frequently used for self‐medication. The perception of mild ailment, immediate alleviation, convenience, time savings, and advice from family, friends, or the media were all reasons for self‐medication. Local pharmacies were the most usual source for obtaining drugs, and pharmacists, family, friends, and past prescriptions were common sources of medicine information.ConclusionsA low yet substantial number of pregnant women in India are engaged in self‐medication practices. Appropriate strategies need to be planned to reduce self‐medication practices to attain sustainable developmental goals for maternal health in India.

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Self-medication among pregnant women in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 35 publications

Medical doctor’s perspectives on antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women from a Sub-Saharan African country

Medical doctor’s perspectives on antibiotic self-medication in pregnant women from a Sub-Saharan African country

Public Awareness and Practice Regarding Over-the-Counter Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Prevalence of self‐medication practices among pregnant women in India: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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