Drug Utilization Pattern During Pregnancy.
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Date
2012-08
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Abstract
Background: Pregnancy is a special physiological
condition where drug treatment presents a special concern.
The rationale for use of drugs during pregnancy requires a
careful assessment as in addition to the mother, the health
and life of her unborn child also concerns. Research
Question: What is the pattern of drug utilization during
pregnancy in females of field practice area of Urban Health
Centre? Aim: To study the drug utilization pattern during
pregnancy. Methodology: 500 pregnant women included
in study. A house to house survey was conducted during
September 2009 to February 2010. Various study
parameters like; educational status, duration of pregnancy,
family income per capita per month, number of antenatal
visits, self medication practices, number of drugs used,
number of herbal/homeopathic drugs used included the
study. Results: A total of 972, 864 and 399 drugs, with an
average of 6.61, 3.66, 3.41 drugs per pregnant woman
were used during first, second and third trimester of
pregnancy respectively. Category A is considered the safest
category while category X is absolutely contraindicated in
pregnancy. A majority of drugs used, were from category
A, followed by category B and category D. However,
category C and X drugs constituted 4.28 and 0.51% of the
drugs used during the third trimester and first trimester,
respectively. Herbal/ homeopathic drugs constituted 10.49%
(102), 4.86% (42) and 1.94% (5) of the drugs used during
first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively.
It was found that self-medication and homeopathic/ herbal
drugs were used more in illiterates, than in literates (p <0.001
and <0.001 respectively). Conclusion: There is a need to
educate and counsel the women of child bearing age,
regarding the advantages and disadvantages of drug use
during pregnancies.
Description
Keywords
pregnancy and drug utilization
Citation
Inamdar I F, Sonkar V K, Aswar N R, Doibale M K. Drug Utilization Pattern During Pregnancy. Indian Medical Gazette. 2012 Aug ; 145 (8): 305-311.