Nirmani K, Danthanarayana C, Nisansala PT, Michael J, Shyamali A, Dunukara J, Goni MD, Nisansala T. Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice on self-care with over-the-counter medicines among pregnant women.
Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm 2024;
13:100413. [PMID:
38357614 PMCID:
PMC10864866 DOI:
10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100413]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Self-care during pregnancy is a crucial topic to be discussed due to its effects on both the mother and fetus. In Sri Lanka, specifically regarding self-care with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, usage among the pregnant population is scarce.
Objective
This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on self-care with OTC medicine usage among pregnant women attending maternity clinics in the Colombo Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas, Sri Lanka.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 pregnant women enrolled through simple random sampling using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected on knowledge, attitudes, practices, and sociodemographic characteristics. SPSS version 27 was used for descriptive statistical analysis.
Results
There were satisfactory levels of KAP on self-care with OTC medicines identified among participants. The Mean ± SD for knowledge was 4.38 ± 0.873, and for attitude and practice, 27.56 ± 3.752 and 20.35 ± 4.235, respectively. Significant positive linear correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.375, p < 0.001), attitude and practice (r = 0.518, p < 0.001), and knowledge and practice (r = 0.224, p < 0.001) were observed. It refers to participants with higher levels of knowledge being more likely to exhibit certain attitudes and engage in good practice regarding self-care. However, 93% of the participants had a wrong intention that any medicine could be used at any stage of pregnancy, and 26.3% of the participants didn't know that the medications taken during pregnancy could impact the fetus. Surprisingly, 87% had misperceived that antibiotics can be purchased as OTC medicines. Additionally, the majority of the participants (96%) believed that they could use old prescriptions to purchase medicines during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Greater awareness regarding self-care with OTC medication usage is suggested to be provided during pregnancy.
Collapse