Evaluation of Turkish women’s attitudes and perceptions regarding medication use in pregnancy: A pilot study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Medication use for pre-existing or pregnancy-induced conditions/diseases is common during pregnancy. Understanding the attitudes and perceptions of pregnant women regarding medication use is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing safe and rational drug use during pregnancy. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of Turkish women regarding medication use during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted with 60 pregnant/lactating women who applied to a community pharmacy in Istanbul, Türkiye. The questionnaire focused on women’s attitudes and perceptions regarding the use of medications and supplements during pregnancy. Results: 65% of women stated that the use of certain medications is harmful, while 31.7% believed that all medications are harmful in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. The majority of participants (90%) consulted with their physicians before using any medication, whereas a few received advice from pharmacists and nurses. Most women adhered to the prescribed treatment regimen for pre-existing (83.3%) and pregnacy-induced diseases (75%), while a few stopped taking medication for not to harm their baby. None of the participants had a habit of self-medication. Conclusion: The majority of the women used medication with high adherence and had high confidence in the advice from a physician. However, the tendency to avoid medication use due to concerns about fetal harm, and the low consultation rate with pharmacists are notable findings. More effort is needed to encourage pregnant women to obtain information regarding medication use during pregnancy from community pharmacists.

Keywords

• Pregnancy
• Medication use
• Attitudes
• Perceptions

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