PREVALENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) MEDICINE USE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE ASIR REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA

Self-medication with OTC drugs is observed in many countries and deserves due concern as it may adversely affect maternal and fetal health. This practice may have an association with socio-demographic factors and knowledge about OTC medicine. A descriptive study was done using a questionnaire that collects information on socio-demographic status, prevalence and knowledge of OTC medicine use among pregnant women. The pregnant women visiting government hospitals in the A sir region were randomly selected. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS software version 20. Moderate level of knowledge about OTC medicine was observed in more than half the sample. More than two-third of the sample was found to have used OTC medicine during their pregnancy. High prevalence of OTC medicine use was found among the unemployed and university-educated sample groups. There was significant association between age of the mother and OTC medicine use, while the association with other socio-demographic variables was not significant. The highest prevalence of OTC medicine use was observed in the sample with a high level of knowledge and in the sample with university education, although there is no significant correlation. Panadol and painkillers were the most frequently used OTC medicine.