Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics
Abstract Objective: An in-depth evaluation of the published evidence is needed on self-medication, specifically the evidence focusing on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the differences in self-medication prevalence and study characterist...
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| Format: | Article |
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Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032024000100320&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| author | Gabriela Pereira Cinthia Madeira de Souza Amanda Canato Ferracini Fernanda Garanhani Surita Sherif Eltonsy Priscila Gava Mazzola |
| author_facet | Gabriela Pereira Cinthia Madeira de Souza Amanda Canato Ferracini Fernanda Garanhani Surita Sherif Eltonsy Priscila Gava Mazzola |
| author_sort | Gabriela Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: An in-depth evaluation of the published evidence is needed on self-medication, specifically the evidence focusing on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the differences in self-medication prevalence and study characteristics among different groups, while identifying gaps in the literature. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science, including articles published in the last 10 years for the pregnant women group (PWG) and the general population group (GPG). Data on study design, self-medication prevalence, medications used, and other variables were collected, tabulated, and summarized. Results: From 2888 screened articles, 75 were considered including 108,559 individuals. The self-medication (SM) in the PWG ranged from 2.6 to 72.4% and most studies had an SM prevalence between 21 and 50% and in the GPG, 32 from 50 studies had a SM prevalence higher than 50%. The reviewed studies varied considerably in methodology, requiring careful interpretation. While most of the studies assessed self-medication during the entire pregnancy, self-medication definition was often inconsistent between studies. Acetaminophen was the most used medication and headache was the most frequent symptom leading to self-medication initiation in the PWG. Conclusions: Self-medication among pregnant women showed a lower prevalence when compared to the general population. The medications used and symptoms reported were similar between groups. However, methodological differences must be carefully considered. Pregnant women should carefully follow their physicians’ advice before initiating self-medication to avoid preventable maternal and fetal adverse effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a8d2bdc4ab54ffa97742ab982b7fe74 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0100-7203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a8d2bdc4ab54ffa97742ab982b7fe742025-01-21T07:35:56ZengFederação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e ObstetríciaRevista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia0100-72032025-01-014610.61622/rbgo/2024rbgo77Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristicsGabriela Pereirahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5878-0017Cinthia Madeira de Souzahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5606-9144Amanda Canato Ferracinihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9626-5227Fernanda Garanhani Suritahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4335-0337Sherif Eltonsyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0520-5406Priscila Gava Mazzolahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-8189Abstract Objective: An in-depth evaluation of the published evidence is needed on self-medication, specifically the evidence focusing on vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the differences in self-medication prevalence and study characteristics among different groups, while identifying gaps in the literature. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed and Web of Science, including articles published in the last 10 years for the pregnant women group (PWG) and the general population group (GPG). Data on study design, self-medication prevalence, medications used, and other variables were collected, tabulated, and summarized. Results: From 2888 screened articles, 75 were considered including 108,559 individuals. The self-medication (SM) in the PWG ranged from 2.6 to 72.4% and most studies had an SM prevalence between 21 and 50% and in the GPG, 32 from 50 studies had a SM prevalence higher than 50%. The reviewed studies varied considerably in methodology, requiring careful interpretation. While most of the studies assessed self-medication during the entire pregnancy, self-medication definition was often inconsistent between studies. Acetaminophen was the most used medication and headache was the most frequent symptom leading to self-medication initiation in the PWG. Conclusions: Self-medication among pregnant women showed a lower prevalence when compared to the general population. The medications used and symptoms reported were similar between groups. However, methodological differences must be carefully considered. Pregnant women should carefully follow their physicians’ advice before initiating self-medication to avoid preventable maternal and fetal adverse effects.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032024000100320&lng=en&tlng=enSelf-medicationMedication usePregnant womenDrug-related side effects and adverse reactions |
| spellingShingle | Gabriela Pereira Cinthia Madeira de Souza Amanda Canato Ferracini Fernanda Garanhani Surita Sherif Eltonsy Priscila Gava Mazzola Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia Self-medication Medication use Pregnant women Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions |
| title | Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| title_full | Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| title_fullStr | Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| title_short | Self-medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population: a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| title_sort | self medication among pregnant women in comparison to the general population a scoping review of the main characteristics |
| topic | Self-medication Medication use Pregnant women Drug-related side effects and adverse reactions |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-72032024000100320&lng=en&tlng=en |
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