Abstract:

Background: Self-medication is a universal challenge that requires attention because of the potential not to the pregnant women but also to unborn child. Data on self-medication practice and predictors among pregnant women is lacking in Tanzania. Information on the effects of this practice to the pregnant woman and the foetus globally is also scanty.

Aim: Therefore this study was carried out to assess self-medication and predictors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Makongoro centre.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study which conducted using face to face interview with 372 pregnant women at Makongoro health centre. Semi-structured questionnaires were used. Data were analyzed using STATA 13 (Statistical Corporation, College Station, Texas, US).

Results: A total of 372 pregnant women participants in the study. The prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women was 172 (46.24%). There was a significant statistical association between self-medication and occupation (P value =0.01), gestation age (P<0.01) and education (P<0.01). Age, marital status and gravidity were not associated with self-medication (P=0.809, P=0.243 and P=0.922) respectively. When bivariate logistic regression was performed, occupation and education were the only determining factors for self-medication. Pregnant women who were employed, doing business and house wife were most likely to practice self-medication than employed pregnant women (P=0.03; OR=2.33; 95% CI, 1.06-5.31, P=0.01; OR=2.31; CI 1.21-4.41, P=<0.01, OR=2.73, 95% CI 0.52-2.43) respectively. Pregnant women with no formal education, incomplete primary education, primary education and secondary education were most likely to practice self-medication than pregnant women with college or university education (P<0.01, OR=6.37 95% CI 2.37-19.03, P<0.01, OR=6.58, 95% CI 2.36-18.25, P<0.01, OR=3.78, 95% CI 1.89-7.56, P<0.01, OR=2.59 95% CI=1.30-5.17). The leading illness/symptoms which necessitates self-medication among pregnant women attending clinic were malaria 56 (32.56%), morning sickness 44 (25.55%) and headache 33 (19.19%). Drugs commonly used in self-medication among pregnant women were ant malaria 42 (24.42%), antiemetic 59 (34.30%) and analgesics 33 (19.19%).

Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women is high in Tanzania. This is a threat to the safety of the developing foetus and the pregnant women. Therefore there is a need of interventions to minimize the practice among pregnant women.