SELF-MEDICATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF PREGNANT WOMEN ABOUT THE USE OF MEDICATION IN PREGNANCY

Trudnoća je osjetljivo razdoblje kada upotreba lijekova, bilo na recept ili kroz samoliječenje, predstavlja značajan izazov, jer može imati značajne posljedice na zdravlje majke i razvoj fetusa. Važno je da trudnice budu dobro informirane o potencijalnim rizicima i koristima lijekova, te da se konzultiraju s medicinskim stručnjacima prije uzimanja bilo kojeg lijeka, uključujući i one dostupne bez recepta, kako bi osigurale sigurnost i zdravlje za sebe i svoje nerođeno dijete. Cilj istraživanja bio je analizirati prakse samoliječenja među trudnicama te razinu njihovog znanja i stavove o lijekovima u kontekstu trudnoće, što uključuje analizu kako trudnice donose odluke o samoliječenju i njihovu svijest o potencijalnim rizicima i koristima. Kroz istraživanje se analizirala potreba za edukacijskim programima i informiranje trudnica o sigurnoj upotrebi lijekova s ciljem razvoja smjernica i preporuka za bolje zdravstveno upravljanje u trudnoći, posebice u pogledu samoliječenja. Istraživanje o samoliječenju i znanju trudnica o primjeni lijekova u trudnoći uključilo je 128 trudnica iz Primorsko-goranske i Zadarske županije. Istraživanje je pokazalo da je većina trudnica u dobi od 30-39 godina. Većina ispitanica (56%) koristila je lijekove na recept, s većom učestalošću u Primorsko-goranskoj županiji, dok je 69,5% njih potvrdno odgovorilo na pitanje o samoliječenje lijekovima, dodacima prehrani, ili biljnim pripravcima. Postoji potreba za boljom edukacijom trudnica o samoliječenju i sigurnoj uporabi lijekova, s obzirom na to da 94,5% ispitanica smatra važnim povećanje obrazovnih programa i pristupa informacijama o utjecaju lijekova na fetus.Pregnancy is a sensitive period when the use of drugs, either by prescription or through self-medication, can have significant consequences on the health of the mother and the development of the fetus. It is important for pregnant women to be well informed about the potential risks and benefits of medications, and to consult with medical professionals before taking any medication, including those available over the counter, to ensure the safety and health of themselves and their unborn child. The goal of the research is to analyze self-medication practices among pregnant women and their level of knowledge about medications in the context of pregnancy, which includes an analysis of how pregnant women make decisions about self-medication and their awareness of potential risks and benefits. The research analyzes the need for an educational program and informing pregnant women about the safe use of medicines. The goal is to help in the development of guidelines and recommendations for better health management during pregnancy, especially regarding self-medication. Research on self-medication and pregnant women's knowledge about the use of drugs during pregnancy included 128 pregnant women from Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Zadar counties. The research showed that the majority of pregnant women are aged 30-39. Most of the respondents (56%) used prescription drugs, with a higher prevalence in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, while 69,5% of them admitted to self-medication with drugs, nutritional supplements, or herbal preparations. There is a need for better education of pregnant women on self-medication and safe use of drugs, given that 94,5% of respondents consider it important to increase educational programs and access to information about the impact of drugs on the fetus