World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PREVALENCE OF USING OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS AND HERBAL MEDICATIONS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN KHARTOUM STATE - SUDAN

Fadya O. M Abdalla and Sara A.I Eltayeb*

ABSTRACT

Background: Consumption of over the counter (OTC) drugs and herbal medications represents a major concern. This is attributed to the fact that most of the data that highlight proper use of OTC drugs during pregnancy came from observational studies.[1] Aim: To determine the pattern of using OTC drugs and herbal medicines among pregnant women attending to some obstetric and gynecologic hospitals in Khartoum state. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 50 pregnant women, 49 pharmacists and 27 physicians by using questionnaire. Results: Sixty six percent of pregnant women sometimes suffer a complain during the period of pregnancy. Nausea represents 63.3% of complains, being the most common complain. As result of this; pregnant women use different types of OTC drugs and herbal medications to treat their complains. Forty seven percent of pregnant women consume OTC medicines, while few of them (22.5%) use herbal medications. They obtain these medications from different sources, 71% percent of pregnant women obtain OTC medications from pharmacies, while 52.9% obtain their herbal medications from retail shops. This study also reported poor level of knowledge and practice among pharmacists as well as physicians. Conclusion: Pharmacists and physicians have poor knowledge and practice towards the proper use of OTC drugs and herbal medicines. This is due to the fact that they have not received adequate training. Therefore, more educational strategies and programs should be implemented. In addition, educational campaigns are also needed for pregnant women to ensure proper consumption of OTC drugs and herbal medications during pregnancy.

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