Self-Medication Practice and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: - Self medication practice among pregnant women refers to the use of traditional and over the counter medications with out guidance from health professionals. This practice poses significant health risks to both the mother and the unborn fetus.Lack of contextual studies regarding the reasons,factors and patterns of the practice is the significant gaps observed in Ethiopian studies. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating self-medication and its associated factors among pregnant women.
Objective: -The objective of the study was to determine prevalence and contributing factors of self- medication among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public Hospitals.
Method: - Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa from February 14 to April, 14,2025. A total of 545 pregnant women attending antenatal care units were included in the study. The study pariticipants wete selected using systematic random sampling. An interview administered structured questionnaire using KOBO Toolbox was used for data collection and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive (percent and frequency) and inferential data analysis (Bivariate and multivariate regression) techniques were used. The thesis of this study was submitted and presented to Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences School of Public Health.
Results: - The study found that, self-medication practice among pregnant women was 79.8% (CI,95 %).It also indicated that monthly income with high income (AOR = 5.32, 95% CI: 1.09–25, p = 0.03), social support with strong social support (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.1–3.5, p = 0.02),educational attainment with secondary education (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.66, p = 0.001), past medication use(AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.27–3.97, p = 0.006) and the health care access (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22–0.84, p = 0.01) are important predictors.
Conclusions The study found high prevalence of self medication practice.Pregnant women with Higher Monthly income,strong social support,higher educational level and previous medication use were found to be likely engaged in self medication practices while those with better access to health care providers less likely engage in self medication practices.Strengthening antenatal counseling ,Cretion of awareness,Promoting access to health care facility were recommended.
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Keywords
Antenatal care, Self-medication, Pregnant women