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Assessment of Pregnant Women Knowledge Attending Maternal and Child Health Care Centers at El Minia City About Teratogenicity of Drugs During Pregnancy

Research Authors
Om El Hana A. Mohammed, Sawat A. Mohammed , Azza M. Hafez , and Amal F. Arief
Research Journal
Journal of American Science
Research Member
Research Publisher
NULL
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
Vol. 8 No. 12
Research Website
http://www.jofamericanscience.org
Research Year
2012
Research_Pages
844-850
Research Abstract

Drugs intake during pregnancy may adversely affect developing embryo or fetus. These drugs are known
as teratogen. So to be safe, only drugs that are absolutely necessary should be used with permission of
knowledgeable practitioner. Aim: to assess level of women's knowledge about teratogenicity of drugs used during
pregnancy. Research design: a cross sectional study. Material & methods: this study was conducted in Maternal
and Child Health care Centers at Minia city. The study included 300 pregnant women, an interview sheet was used
by the researcher to assess socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrical characteristics, and knowledge about drug
intake during pregnancy. Results: the main finding of the study were exploring that more than half of the study
sample had inadequate and poor knowledge regarding drug intake during pregnancy and only 28.7% of sample had
adequate knowledge especially in relation to the risk time for taking drugs. The most common reasons for taking
drugs was common cold 26.9%, drugs,18.3%to relieve headache and 45.2% of sample take drugs for heartburn. in
this study, it was also found that certain factors seemed to affect women's knowledge regarding drug intake during
pregnancy such as illiteracy, being housewife, and young age. Conclusion: women lack essential knowledge
regarding drugs intake during pregnancy. These findings indicate need to inform pregnant women about dangers of
drugs use during pregnancy especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Physician and nurses should play a
key role in communicating theses risks.