Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Medication Use During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Uganda

Medication use (MU) during pregnancy can increase the risk of maternal and fetal health consequences. Women's knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding safe MU can influence pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to assess and explore women's KAP regarding safe MU during pregnancy and identify possible determinants.

A cross-sectional analytical, interview-based survey was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) visits in the obstetrics and gynaecology department of Kyegegwa General Hospital, Kyegegwa district, Western Uganda. A 24-item pre-designed, validated structured questionnaire was used to assess the KAP of MU among pregnant women. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with KAP about MU.

A total of 415 pregnant women with a mean (SD) age of 26.51 (5.15) years were included. Most of the women have a positive attitude (78.60%) towards safe MU, but less than half only hold adequate knowledge (42.60%), and rational practice (34.50%). Factors such as secondary education level or less (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.01-0.38), urban residence (AOR = 1.54; 95% CI = 2.68-4.49), profession (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 2.36-10.59), regular ANC visits (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.06-3.48), GP visit during pregnancy (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.09-5.91), and using at least one medication (AOR = 9.00; 95% CI = 2.78-6.43) were significantly associated with adequate knowledge regarding MU. The practice domain revealed that age less than 30 years (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.28-0.98), profession (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.86-7.59), regular ANC visits (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.05-3.74), and GP visit during pregnancy (AOR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.02-3.25) were significantly associated with rational practice.

The study concludes that three-fourths of the pregnant women have a positive attitude regarding safe MU, still there is an extensive gap in transforming this positive attitude into rational practice due to lack of adequate knowledge. So, to address the gap identified in the knowledge and practice domain, hospital-based educational interventions on safe MU can be initiated by targeting young age, lower or no education, rural residents, and participants working in non-healthcare profession.