KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND USE OF NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN OKWE GENERAL HOSPITAL ASABA DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Okandeji-Barry R. Oghenenioborue (MPH)*, Agofure Otovwe (MPH) and Orakwe S. Uju (BSc)

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and use of non-prescription drug among pregnant women in Okwe General Hospital Asaba in Delta State. Study Design: The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Okwe General Hospital Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria. The study was conducted between June to July 2015 Methodology: A semi-structured questionnaire was used and administered to 103 randomly selected pregnant women at Okwe General Hospital Asaba. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 for descriptive and Chi-square test at p≤0.05. Results: Majority (80.6%) of the respondents had good knowledge of non-prescription drugs with no significant association found between educational level and use of non-prescription drugs, 22.3% were currently taking non-prescription drugs. The most common drugs were analgesics, antihistamines, antacids etc. More than half (53.4%) of the respondents were aware that non-prescription drugs were most harmful in the first trimester and 48.5% were aware of the risks associated with use. Majority (53.4%) of the respondents showed a negative attitude towards the utilization of non-prescription drugs. A significant association was found between the knowledge and attitude of respondents towards the use of non-prescription drugs. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that few pregnant women were currently using non-prescription drugs and a good number had good knowledge on such drugs. Hence health education on the use of non-prescription drugs during pregnancy should be re-enforce which will in turn sustain knowledge and encourage positive attitude among pregnant women.

Keywords: Non-prescription drugs, Pregnant women, Knowledge, Attitude.