Prevalence and associated factors of self-medication among pregnant women in N'Djamena North District, Chad

INTRODUCTION

Self-medication during pregnancy is a common practice in many low- and middle-income countries, despite the associated risks for both mother and fetus. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication and identify its associated factors among pregnant women in the N'Djamena Nord district of Chad.

METHODS

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted among 348 pregnant women conveniently recruited from 15 public health centers in the N'Djamena Nord district. Data were collected through individual interviews using a structured questionnaire administered via KoboCollect. Univariate and then multivariable Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models were applied using a Poisson distribution and an exchangeable correlation structure to identify factors associated with self-medication. Statistical significance was set at 5%.

RESULTS

The prevalence of self-medication during pregnancy was 37.9% (95% CI: 32.8-43.0). Factors significantly associated with this practice included living in an urban area (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [APR] = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.28), living in a polygamous household (APR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.04-1.39), a history of self-medication (APR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.36-2.28), and lack of knowledge about the associated risks (APR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.39-2.12).

CONCLUSION

Self-medication is a common practice among pregnant women in the N'Djamena Nord district, driven by both structural and behavioural factors. These findings highlight the need to strengthen prenatal education and develop targeted prevention strategies to mitigate the risks associated with this practice.