# Factors, Attitudes, and Prevalence of Self-Medication Among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study finds that 36.5% of pregnant women in Saudi Arabia self-medicate, often using cough syrup and antipyretics, and highlights the need for better education and regulation to protect maternal health.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and factors influencing self-medication among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia.

## Key findings

- Cough syrup and antipyretics were the most commonly used self-medicated drugs.
- Education level, occupation, and pregnancy history significantly influenced self-medication behavior.
- Prior prescriptions and personal experience were the main sources guiding self-medication decisions.

## Abstract

Background: Self-medication (SM) among women during pregnancy poses a critical risk to maternal health, and SM is still commonly practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to assess the factors, attitudes, and prevalence of SM among pregnant women in the Ministry of Health (MOH) First Health Cluster. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used among 400 pregnant women who received care at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels. A structured tool was adopted and modified based on the literature review, expert and focus group interviews, and the experiences of the target participants. The dependent variables included history of illness, access to healthcare services, medication usage, and perception of SM, while the independent variables included socioeconomic status. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of SM was 36.5%. Cough syrup and antipyretics were the most commonly used medications, while hair problems and weight loss were the most frequently reported reasons for SM. The primary sources of information guiding SM behavior were prior prescriptions and previous experience. Education level, occupation, age, number of pregnancies, and miscarriage history were all significantly associated with SM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SM was found to be frequent among pregnant women in the First Health Cluster, highlighting the need for educational interventions and regulatory measures to reduce unsafe practices and improve maternal health.