1.Self -medication of antibiotics for their minor illness among pregnant women in Naxaithong district, Vientiane capital, Lao PDR
Angkham Ounavong ; Bounkhong Khanthaxay ; Koneouma Saenvorrasin ; Phouvang Sengmeang ; Thipphakone Saenthavisouk
Lao Medical Journal 2023;14(14):112-122
Background: :
Self-medication has played an important role in the community. It was estimated there is an increasing number of people using of drugs, especially antibiotics without consulting doctors, particularly among mother with children under five-year-olds and pregnant women.
Objective: :
To identify the factors influencing self-medication for their minor illness among pregnant women
Methodology: :
A cross-sectional study was conducted on the self-medication of antibiotics for their minor illness among pregnant women in Naxathong district, Vientiane capital. This survey aimed to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women, explore the pregnant women’s knowledge on antibiotics use for their minor illness and determine factors influencing the use of antibiotics as self-medication. One hundred and twelve pregnant women were face to face interview.
Result: :
The survey showed that some pregnant women still experience in using antibiotics as self-medication for their minor illness (16.5%) and majority were recommended by doctors and nurses (19%), their knowledge on antibiotics had high level, they can identify correctly names of sample of antibiotics when we showed them (Ampicillin, amoxicillin , Bactrim and doxycycline ) but they mostly did not know their side effects of those antibiotics (45%) and cross tabulation of medical professional recommendation and sources of information about medicine use had a significantly associated with the self-medication of antibiotics for their minor illness (P value < 0.05) while concerning to other factors were not significantly associated with self-medication practices with antibiotics (P value >0.05).
Conclusion:
Although, self-medication of antibiotics among pregnant women was low but they still did not know about side effect of antibiotics. For further intervention to maintain their rational use of medicines, particularly antibiotics and achievement of the program in promoting rational use of medicines at the community level, the district hospital should be conducted regularly the intervention about rational use of medicines for this target group.

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