AWARENESS OF LATVIAN PREGNANT WOMEN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MEDICINES DURING THE CHILD'S EXPECTATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2020vol6.5067Keywords:
awareness, pregnancy, safety of drugsAbstract
Worldwide studies on the safety of medicines for pregnant women show that most women know which medicines to avoid during pregnancy. However, a large number of women are not aware that the use of medication during pregnancy can lead to adverse events. This type of studies has not been conducted in Latvia yet. The aim of this work is to find out the level of awareness among pregnant women in Latvia about the safety of the use of different medications during pregnancy, in order to clarify the ways of improving it. Quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used in this study. Between September 2018 and December 2019, 606 women were surveyed. Expert interviews led to conclusions on improving the education of pregnant women and pharmacy assistants. About 75% of women have been taking medicines during pregnancy. Usually it was 2-3 medicinal products. Approximately 10% used 4 or more medicines. Most women surveyed are not aware that the use of medications during the second and third trimesters can have a negative effect on the mother or baby. Most women (78%) wouldn’t use medications without a doctor's advice, but 17% would if they consulted a pharmacist. Obtained results on the awareness of pregnant women showed that it is important to improve their knowledge of the safety of medicines. This can be achieved by improving the education program for pharmacy assistant pharmacists. A focus group discussion has been organised on this matter.
References
Andrade, S.E., Gurwitz, J.H., Davis, R.L., Chan, K.A. et al. (2004). Prescription drug use in pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 191(2), 398-407. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.04.025
Arnold, C.L., Davis, T.C., Berkel, H.J., Jackson, R.H. et al. (2011). Smoking status, reading level, and knowledge of tobacco effects among low-income pregnant women. Preventive medicine, 32(4), 313-320. DOI: 10.1006/pmed.2000.0815
Dibley, M.J. & Jeacocke, D.A. (2001). Safety and Toxicity of Vitamin A Supplements in Pregnancy. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 22(3), 248-266. DOI: 10.1177/156482650102200304
Eiser, C. & Eiser, J.R. (1985). Health education need of primigravidae. Child: Care, Health and Development, 11, 53-60. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.1985.tb00450.x
Eldalo, A., Yousif, M., & Siraj, N. (2015). Pregnant Women’s Awareness and Perception About Medicines. Latin American Journal of Pharmacy, 34(5), 869-874.
Koren, G. (2009). Special aspects of perinatal and pediatric pharmacology. In Basic and clinical pharmacology, 11th. ed. (1025-1036). New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.
Kureshee, N.I. & Dhande, P.P. (2013). Awareness of Mothers and Doctors about Drugs Utilization Pattern for Illnesses Encountered during Pregnancy. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research for doctors, 7(11), 2470-2474. DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2013/6329.3582
Leek, J.C. & Arif, H. (2019). Pregnancy Medications. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing.
Marsack, C.R., Alsop, C.L., Kurinczurk, J.J., & Bower, C. (1999). Pre-pregnancy counselling for the primary prevention of birth defects: rubella vaccination and folate intake. The Medical Journal of Australia, 170, 143-144.
Mitchell, A.A., Gilboa, S.M., Werler, M.M. et al. (2011). Medication Use During Pregnancy, With Particular Focus On Prescription Drugs: 1976-2008. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 205(1), 51.e1-51.e8. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.029
Nevaro, M., Vezzosi, L., Santagati, G., & Angelillo, I.F. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding medication use in pregnant women in Southern Italy. Journals Plos One, 13(6), 0198618. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198618
Pange, B.L. (2006). Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. Text book of Therapeutics, Drug and Disease Management, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott William Wilkins.
Roth, L.K. & Taylor, H.S. (2001). Risks of smoking to reproductive health: assessment of women’s knowledge. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 184(5), 934-939. DOI: 10.1067/mob.2001.112103
Sachdeva, P., Patel, B.G., & Patel, B.K. (2009). Drug use in pregnancy; a point to ponder. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 71(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.4103/0250-474X.51941
Samuel, N., & Einarson, A. (2011). Medication management during pregnancy: role of the pharmacist. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 33(6), 882-885. DOI: 10.1007/s11096-011-9560-8
Sorensan, M.K., Philips, B.B. & Mutnick, A.H. (2004). Drug use in specific patient populations: Pediatric, Pregnant, Geriatric. Comprehensive Pharmacy Review, 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott William Wilkins.
Zaki, N.M., & Albarraq, A.A. (2014). Use, attitudes and knowledge of medications among pregnant women: A Saudi study. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 22(5), 419-428. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2013.09.001
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
How to Cite
