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Medication use for chronic health conditions by pregnant women attending an Australian maternity hospital.

Authors :
SAWICKI, Emilia
STEWART, Kay
WONG, Swee
LEUNG, Laura
PAUL, Eldho
GEORGE, Johnson
Source :
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Aug2011, Vol. 51 Issue 4, p333-338, 6p, 4 Charts
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Background: Most women use medications at some stage in their pregnancy. Medication nonadherence during pregnancy could be detrimental to both mother and fetus. Aims: To study the extent and nature of the use of prescribed medications during pregnancy and factors associated with medication nonadherence. Methods: All women ≥18 years presenting for their 36th week antenatal visit at the pregnancy clinic of a maternity hospital were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire that contained 61 items, including the Morisky scale. Factors associated with nonadherence were identified in univariate analysis; factors with P < 0.1 were further analysed in a binary logistic regression model. Results: The participants ( n = 819) had a mean age of 30.8 ± 5.3 years. Most participants were born in Australia, lived with a partner, had university education, were nulliparous, carried one fetus and were nonsmokers. Of these participants, 322 (39.3%) reported a chronic health condition during pregnancy, the most common being asthma (104; 12.7%). Two hundred and seventeen (26.5%) were using prescribed medications, which included anti-anaemics (68; 8.3%), medicines for chronic airway conditions (64; 7.8%), vitamins and minerals (59; 7.2%) and anti-diabetics (43; 5.2%). Nonadherence was reported by 107 (59.1%) participants, mainly because of forgetting (79; 43.6%). Factors associated with nonadherence were having asthma (OR 0.26 (95% CI 0.095 - 0.72), P = 0.009) and using nonprescription dietary minerals (0.30 (0.10 - 0.87), P = 0.027). Conclusions: Adherence to prescribed medicines during pregnancy is alarmingly low. Health professionals should be more proactive in promoting adherence and assisting women avoid potential fetal harm because of nonadherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00048666
Volume :
51
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
64856397
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.2011.01312.x