Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Consumption and Awareness About Risks During Pregnancy In AL-Bayda City, Libya

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are one of the most common prescribed medications for relieving pain, fever, and inflammation. Most NSAIDs are available without a prescription, and they often consumed by pregnant women for short periods of time to treat mild pain. However, these drugs can cause substantial teratogenic effects. NSAIDs such as aspirin, diclofenac sodium and ibuprofen might cause oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) or prenatal renal abnormalities if taken in the late second half of pregnancy. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that taking NSAIDs in the period from the fifth month of pregnancy to delivery is not safe. This research was conducted to explore pregnant women's knowledge about NSAIDs during gestation period as well as consumption patterns. This study was conducted during the period from 10/2/2022 to 10/3/2022 in private clinics in Al-Bayda, Al-Quba cities as well as Al -Thawra hospital targeting 250 pregnant women who asked gently to fill in a printed questionnaire. The questionnaire has a variety of questions regarding age, consumption of NSAIDs during pregnancy and awareness about the benefits and risks of these drugs. Our study indicated that 55.6% of the pregnant women were in the range of twenty-two to twenty-nine years old. Half of pregnant women (50%) did consume painkillers (NSAIDs). Aspirin was the most common drug (55%). Forty-five out of 125 were consuming these drugs without prescription (36%). The common reason for consuming NSAIDs was varicose veins (31%). 30.4% of pregnant women had a miscarriage. Poor fetal growth was the most common cause of miscarriage among 29% of participants. Sixty-five percent of the participants knew that using this kind of drugs in the last month of pregnancy affect their health negatively. Only 4% of them had miscarriage due to consumption of NSAIDs. Pain management noticed in 90% of pregnant women. Awareness about the positive and negative effects of NSAIDs was noticed in 55% of the participants. In conclusion, despite the fact which is consumption of NSAIDs throughout pregnancy has undesirable effects on pregnant women and fetus, these drugs are widely prescribed by doctors to pregnant women. NSAIDs should not be prescribed during pregnancy unless mother's outcomes exceed the possible fetal adverse effects. Our research found no significant relation between NSAIDs consumption in the period of pregnancy and miscarriage. Although our results were satisfied, concentrated education programs are needed to spread knowledge in our society and another research must be conducted on a large sample size to investigate the differences among this study with the current research.