Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia
ObjectivesPregnancy is a sensitive period during which the use of medicines, whether by prescription or self-medication, is a major challenge as it can have a significant impact on the health of the mother and the development of the foetus. It is important that pregnant women are well-informed about...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1536050/full |
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| author | Željko Jovanović Petra Vulić |
| author_facet | Željko Jovanović Petra Vulić |
| author_sort | Željko Jovanović |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectivesPregnancy is a sensitive period during which the use of medicines, whether by prescription or self-medication, is a major challenge as it can have a significant impact on the health of the mother and the development of the foetus. It is important that pregnant women are well-informed about potential risks and benefits and seek advice from healthcare professionals before taking any medication, including over-the-counter medications, to ensure the safety and health of themselves and their unborn child. The aim of this study was to analyse the self-medication practices of pregnant women and their knowledge and attitudes toward medicines in the context of pregnancy. This includes analysing the way pregnant women make decisions about self-medication and their awareness of potential risks and benefits.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of pregnant women from two cities of similar size and status, Zadar and Rijeka, in the period from 1 May 2023 to 1 June 2023 at the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka and the General Hospital Zadar.ResultsOf the 128 women interviewed, 56% were taking prescription medication, most frequently in Rijeka, while 69.5% practised self-medication. The most commonly used medications were dietary supplements—75 (44.88%); over-the-counter pain relievers and fever, cough, allergy, cold, and nausea remedies—42 (33.07%); and herbal medicines—8 (6.29%).ConclusionPregnant women need to be better informed about self-medication and the safe use of medication. A total of 94.5% of respondents consider it important to improve educational programmes and access to information about the effects of medication on the health of the foetus and pregnancy outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85cd9718ee414ba0bd88a6d02f18e4d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-85cd9718ee414ba0bd88a6d02f18e4d42025-01-24T10:06:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-01-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15360501536050Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, CroatiaŽeljko Jovanović0Petra Vulić1Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, CroatiaGeneral Hospital Zadar, Zadar, CroatiaObjectivesPregnancy is a sensitive period during which the use of medicines, whether by prescription or self-medication, is a major challenge as it can have a significant impact on the health of the mother and the development of the foetus. It is important that pregnant women are well-informed about potential risks and benefits and seek advice from healthcare professionals before taking any medication, including over-the-counter medications, to ensure the safety and health of themselves and their unborn child. The aim of this study was to analyse the self-medication practices of pregnant women and their knowledge and attitudes toward medicines in the context of pregnancy. This includes analysing the way pregnant women make decisions about self-medication and their awareness of potential risks and benefits.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of pregnant women from two cities of similar size and status, Zadar and Rijeka, in the period from 1 May 2023 to 1 June 2023 at the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka and the General Hospital Zadar.ResultsOf the 128 women interviewed, 56% were taking prescription medication, most frequently in Rijeka, while 69.5% practised self-medication. The most commonly used medications were dietary supplements—75 (44.88%); over-the-counter pain relievers and fever, cough, allergy, cold, and nausea remedies—42 (33.07%); and herbal medicines—8 (6.29%).ConclusionPregnant women need to be better informed about self-medication and the safe use of medication. A total of 94.5% of respondents consider it important to improve educational programmes and access to information about the effects of medication on the health of the foetus and pregnancy outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1536050/fullself-medicationpregnancywomen’s healthmedication useantenatal care |
| spellingShingle | Željko Jovanović Petra Vulić Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia Frontiers in Pharmacology self-medication pregnancy women’s health medication use antenatal care |
| title | Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia |
| title_full | Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia |
| title_fullStr | Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia |
| title_short | Self-medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of Rijeka and Zadar, Croatia |
| title_sort | self medication and knowledge of pregnant women about the use of medication during pregnancy in the cities of rijeka and zadar croatia |
| topic | self-medication pregnancy women’s health medication use antenatal care |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1536050/full |
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