Medication Use among Pregnant Women from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study

Bárbara Heather Lutz, Vanessa Iribarrem Avena Miranda, Marysabel Pinto Telis Silveira, Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol, Sotero Serrate Mengue, Mariângela Freitas da Silveira, Marlos Rodrigues Domingues and Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi
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Bárbara Heather Lutz: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine & Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil
Vanessa Iribarrem Avena Miranda: Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil
Marysabel Pinto Telis Silveira: Institute of Biology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology & Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil
Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol: Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Porto Alegre, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Sala 203, Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, RS, Brazil
Sotero Serrate Mengue: Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Porto Alegre, Av. Ipiranga, 2752, Sala 203, Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, RS, Brazil
Mariângela Freitas da Silveira: Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil
Marlos Rodrigues Domingues: Post Graduate Program in Physical Education & Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil
Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi: Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Marechal Deodoro, 1160, Pelotas CEP 96020-220, RS, Brazil

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Medication use during pregnancy is a common practice that has been increasing in recent years. The aim of this study is to describe medication use among pregnant women from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. Methods: This paper relies on a population-based cohort study including 4270 women. Participants completed a questionnaire about the antenatal period, including information about medication use. We performed descriptive analyses of the sample and the medications used and adjusted analyses for the use of medications and self-medication. Results: The prevalence of medication use was 92.5% (95% CI 91.7–93.3), excluding iron salts, folic acid, vitamins, and other minerals. The prevalence of self-medication was 27.7% (95% CI 26.3–29.1). In the adjusted analysis, women who had three or more health problems during pregnancy demonstrated higher use of medicines. Self-medication was higher in lower income groups and among smokers and multiparous women (three pregnancies or more). Acetaminophen, scopolamine, and dimenhydrinate were the medications most commonly used. Conclusions: This study describes the pattern of drug use among pregnant women in a population-based cohort study, with a high prevalence of self-medication. Greater awareness of the risks of self-medication during pregnancy is required, focusing on groups more prone to this practice, as well as ensuring qualified multidisciplinary prenatal care.

Keywords: drug use; drug utilization; pharmaceutical preparations; self-medication; pharmacoepidemiology; pregnancy; cohort studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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