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Research Article

Self-Medication and Pregnancy Care: The Use of Herbal Products and Prescription Drugs Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Hohoe Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana

Christopher Emmanuel Makam, Awolu Adam* and Adam Fusheini

Corresponding Author: Awolu Adam, Department of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.

Received: April 01, 2022 ;    Revised: April 21, 2022 ;    Accepted: May 14, 2022 ;   Available Online: May 20, 2022

Citation: Makam CE, Adam A & Fusheini A. (2022) Self-Medication and Pregnancy Care: The Use of Herbal Products and Prescription Drugs Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Hohoe Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana. J Nurs Midwifery Res, 1(2): 1-8.

Copyrights: ©2022 Makam CE, Adam A & Fusheini A. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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Abstract

Background: The dangers of self-medication, especially during pregnancy for both the woman and the fetus, have been extensively researched and documented.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of self-medication and associated factors among pregnant women in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect quantitative data from 371 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Hohoe Municipality. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present categorical data while bivariate correlation analysis was performed to determine variables associated with self-medication among pregnant women.

Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 62% among the participants. Herbal products (60%) and pain killers (51%) were the most used drugs for self-medication. Healthcare cost (r (269) = -.327, p=001), educational attainment (r(269)= .121, p= .020), and distance to the Municipal Hospital (r(269)= .121, p= .020) were factors that significantly correlated with self-medication. About 90% of the participants were aware and knowledgeable about the dangers of self-medication while pregnant.

Conclusion: High prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women with mostly herbal products was found. There is a need for culturally appropriate maternal health literacy programs to educate pregnant women about the dangers of self-medication while pregnant.

Keywords: Self-medication, Drugs, Pregnancy, Women, Ghana, Herbal, Medicine

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