Medication use during pregnancy – an international survey in 19 countries

Up to 8 out of 10 women use medications during pregnancy (1, 2). Our hypothesis is that women’s beliefs and attitudes towards medications, medication adherence, risk perception, mental health, personality traits and health illiteracy are important determinants for medication use in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to investigate medication use during pregnancy and factors related to such use across different countries. Method An international internet-based survey was conducted from October to December 2011. An anonymous on-line questionnaire was used for collecting information about maternal characteristics and life-style factors, medication use during pregnancy and timing of exposure and chronic, acute and pregnancy-related illnesses during pregnancy. Validated psychometric scales were utilised in order to measure mental health (EPDS), beliefs about medications (BMQ), medication adherence (MMAS-8), personality traits (BIG-5) and health illiteracy. A 17-items VAS scale for quantifying risk perception was also included. Results The study population included more than 7,500 pregnant women and women who recently had given birth in 19 countries worldwide. Preliminary data among the subset of data collected in Norway (n = 1,274) show that the most frequently used drug group was over-the-counter painkillers (53.3%). Over-the-counter nasal decongestants and medications for heartburn accounted for 27.3% and 26.3%, respectively. Medications for asthma have been the most widely used drug group (11.1%) among the chronic treatments, followed by medications for allergy (5.6%), hypothyroidism (1.9%) and depression (1.5%). Preliminary data from the remaining countries will also be presented. Conclusion Use of medications during pregnancy is common. It is therefore imperative to elucidate the role of various determinants of drug consumption in pregnancy on an international level. References 1. Nordeng H, Ystrøm E, Einarson A. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2010;66:207-14. 2. Refuerzo JS, Blackwell SC, Sokol RJ, Lajeunesse L, Firchau K, Kruger M, et al. Amer J Perinatol 2005;22:321-4.