Keywords:
Self-medication
maternal health
antenatal care
pregnant women
medication safety
risk factors

  • Abstract

    Self-medication during pregnancy is a public health concern because it may expose both the mother and the fetus to avoidable risks, including through medicines perceived as harmless. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of self-medication and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Meknes, Morocco. Between March 31 and June 30, 2024, a questionnaire was administered in five first-level public health centres. Women aged ≥18 years were recruited using a time-based convenience sampling approach on survey days. Self-medication was defined as the use of conventional medicines without prior medical advice or a current prescription; herbal products and dietary supplements were not included. In total, 300 women were analysed. Self-medication during pregnancy was reported by 44.7% of participants and decreased significantly compared with the pre-pregnancy period (86.0%; McNemar’s exact test, p<0.001), suggesting greater caution once pregnancy is confirmed. Analgesics were the most frequently used medicines (71.6%), followed by decongestants (23.1%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (17.9%). Reported motivations mainly reflected self-management of symptoms perceived as mild and the search for rapid relief. In multivariable analysis, self-medication during pregnancy was independently associated with an education level below secondary school (AOR=2.10; 95% CI: 1.23-3.60) and a history of self-medication before pregnancy (AOR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.30-4.25). These findings indicate that, despite a marked reduction during pregnancy, self-medication remains common among ANC attendees in Meknes. Strengthening counselling during antenatal visits, with clear and literacy-adapted messages and targeted attention to women with prior self-medication habits, may help reduce inappropriate medicine use during pregnancy.

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El Bouazzi , O., Chbihi Kaddouri, A., Milouk, F., Mrani Alaoui, M., Baddou, I., Benammi, D., Jaouhar, S., Bouzid, J., El Ouali Lalami, A., & Toujami, Z. (2026). Self-medication during pregnancy in Meknes, Morocco: prevalence, practices, and associated factors. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, (| Accepted Articles). Retrieved from https://malque.pub/ojs/index.php/msj/article/view/16915
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