Prevalence and Determinants of Self-Medication among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinics in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Self-medication (SM) refers to the use of pharmaceuticals to address self-diagnosed ailments without a medical prescription. This practice may impose considerable harm on both pregnant mothers and the embryo. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of SM among pregnant women in Al Baha City, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024, at a hospital in Al Baha City involving 170 expectant mothers who attended antenatal care outpatient clinics. Particpants were identified through a convenience sampling. Face-to-face interviews and a standardized questionnaire were used to collect the data. Results: A total of 170 pregnant women were surveyed. The mean age was 32.6±6.8 years. The majority of participants were of Saudi (94.71%), had a university education, and were multigravida (67%). Out of 170, 51 (30%) mothers were practicing SM. The most commonly used drugs for SM were analgesics (80.1%) and cough and cold medications (14.5%). The primary reasons for SM included the belief that the condition was mild (53.6%), considered an emergency (24.1%), and the believe that consultation with a pharmacist is sufficient (17.9%). The presence of comorbidities was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of SM.Conclusions: The study showed that 30% of expectant mothers were practicing SM. The main misconception was benign or emergency conditions justify practicing SM. The findings emphasized the need for specific educational programs and regulatory measures to reduce the hazards linked to SM throughout pregnancy, particularly in the first weeks of gestation.