Use of drugs and medicinal plants by pregnant women assisted in the women’s health unit in the city of Alegre, ES, Brazil

Abstract

Self-medication still is a common practice in Brazil. Due to the risks that this practice can cause in pregnant women, a study was carried out to identify the consumption of drugs and medicinal plants by pregnant women assisted in the Women’s Health Unit, in the city of Alegre, ES. The  study was conducted through interviews. A total of 115 pregnant women aged between 14 and 43 years were interviewed. Of these, 99.1% were literate and 48.69% of pregnant women did not perform paid activity. Most of the women were in the third trimester of pregnancy. Of the interviewed women, 80% said they had used at least one medication during pregnancy, only 64% of women said they knew the purpose of the prescribed medicine, and 21% were by self-medication. It was found that 9.5% had some type of chronic disease. The most commonly used drugs were antianemics and non-opioid analgesics. According to FDA risk classification, 13.2% of pregnant women used medications that may cause adverse effects. With regard to medicinal herbs consumption, 17% used at least one type during the gestational period, and the most used was lemon-grass. It was possible to note that self-medication is part of the routine of pregnant women in the city of Alegre, evidencing the need for pharmaceutical guidance.