Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Medication Use During Pregnancy: Impact of a Pharmaceutical Care Intervention in a Hospital-Based Study

Safe medication use during pregnancy is essential for maternal and fetal health. Inadequate awareness often leads to inappropriate self-medication and poor practices. This study aimed to assess the impact of a pharmaceutical care intervention on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding medication use during pregnancy. A hospital-based prospective interventional study was conducted over six months at a tertiary care hospital in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. One hundred pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were screened; 50 with poor KAP scores were included and randomized into intervention (n=25) and control (n=25) groups. The intervention group received patient information leaflets (PIL) and pharmacist counseling, while the control group received standard care. Pre- and post-intervention KAP scores were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results showed significant improvement in the intervention group post-intervention: misconceptions about medication safety reduced from 68% to 24% (p<0.001), positive attitudes toward consulting physicians and pharmacists increased from 16% to 80% (p<0.001), and safe practices such as avoiding self-medication improved from 76% to 12% (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in the control group. This study concludes that structured pharmacist-led educational interventions significantly improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding medication use during pregnancy. Incorporating pharmaceutical care into antenatal programs can enhance safe medication practices and maternal outcomes.