In the Era Of Self-Medication, What Do Pregnant Women Know about Anti-Inflammatory Drugs?

Objective. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are contraindicated in pregnancy because of the many foetal-maternal complications they can induce. Yet, NSAIDs can be massively found in family medicine cabinets and they are over-the-counter drugs for most of them. Because of the actual trend of empowerment and public authorities encouraging self-medication, NSAIDs might be used. Our aim was to assess pregnant women's knowledge of NSAIDs. Study design. A descriptive study, through the distribution of 330 questionnaires to all pregnant women consulting at the Teaching hospital of Saint-Etienne, during a week, from February 11th, 2014 to 19th, 2014. Results. The answering rate was 96.4%. Around 46% of pregnant women declared self-medicating. More than 1 in 3 women considered NSAIDs without danger starting from their 6th month of pregnancy. Eighty-six percent of women recognized ibuprofen as belonging to NSAISs. However, 1 in 2 women didn't consider Rhinadvil (R) (ibuprofene/pseudoephedrine) as such and approximately 40% for Aspegic (R) (lysine acetylsalicylate) and Aspirin (R) (acetylsalicylic acid). Danger's perception varied according to the galenic and the trade name: 60% of them thought that Rhinadvil (R) was without risks and around 1 in 2 women thought the same for Aspirin (R) and Aspegic (R). Eighty-six per cent of women recognized ibuprofen as belonging to NSAIDs. However, 1 in 2 women didn't consider Rhinadvil (R) as such and approximately 40% for Apegic (R) and Aspirin (R). Conclusion. Pregnant women's knowledge of NSAIDs is not satisfactory. They are not aware of their danger and do not know how to recognize them. Yet, self-medication is rising and its accessibility is made easier. A work on prevention and information is therefore essential.