‗‗Self-Medication And Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care At Public Health Center Of Shaggar City, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025 ‘‘

Abstract

Background: Self-medication during pregnancy is potentially risky for the health of mother and fetus mainly by resulting in different complications such as still birth, miscarriages and birth defects are the few one. Self-medication practice is the global challenge increasing from time to time especially in developing countries like Ethiopia requires special attention. Objective: This study aimed to assess magnitude of self-medication and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care at public health center of Shaggar city, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025 Methods: A facility based mixed study design was conducted among 667 study participants selected using random sampling techniques from March 15 to April 30, 2025. A purposive sampling technique was used for selecting study participants in qualitative part. Quantitative data was collected using structured interview questionnaire by kobo toolbox and analyzed by SPSS Version 27.0. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview using semi structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression method was used for quantitative data analysis and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Result: The magnitude of self-medication during current pregnancy was 23.3%. Gestational period (AOR=9.21; 95% CI: 3.06, 27.69), History of abortion (AOR= 7.52; 95% CI: 3.23, 17.49), Problem during the health facility visit (AOR=2.86; 95% CI: 1.14, 7.19), Education (advice) given on self-medication during ANC visit (AOR 0.26; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.63), and feeling stress during pregnancy(AOR=5.57;95% CI:1.75, 17.77) were found to be significantly associated with self-medication practice during the current pregnancy. Health System Health System Dissatisfaction, Trusting traditional knowledge, Informal Information Networks, Perceived Safety and Autonomy and Emotional Distress sited from in-depth interview as Trigger for self- medication. Conclusion: A significant proportion of pregnant women in Shaggar City have practiced self-medication. Gestational period, Previous history of abortion, Problem during the health facility visit, Education (advice) given on self-medication during ANC visit, and feeling stress during pregnancy were found to be significantly associated variable with self medication practice during the current pregnancy.