Authors : Alix Diana Nno Mabiala; Dr. Thiéry Ndong Mba; Esthere Lackoumba Konde; Arnaud Brice Pambo-Pambo; Hilaire Moundounga Kenguele

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/57b5mffj

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3mnp8cdv

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1316

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background Self-medication during pregnancy is a widespread public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, posing significant risks to maternal and fetal health. In Gabon, limited access to healthcare and reliance on traditional remedies may exacerbate this practice, yet data on its prevalence and determinants remain scarce, particularly in southeastern regions.  Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 396 pregnant women attending prenatal consultations at the Amissa Bongo University Hospital Center (CHUAB) in Franceville, Gabon, between January and December 2023. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and medical records using a standardized questionnaire. Self-medication was defined as the use of any medication without a physician’s prescription. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral correlates of self-medication.  Results The overall prevalence of self-medication was 65.4% (95% CI: 60.0–70.0). In multivariate analysis, age was the strongest independent predictor: compared to women aged 25–30 years, those aged 18–24 (aOR = 5.74; p = 0.012), 31–35 (aOR = 12.24; p = 0.001), and ≥36 years (aOR = 4.98; p = 0.027) had significantly higher odds of self-medication. Conversely, HIV-positive women were markedly less likely to self-medicate (aOR = 0.008; p < 0.001). Although not statistically significant in the adjusted model, rural residence, low educational level, and use of medicinal plants were strongly associated with self- medication in univariate analysis. Conclusion Self-medication is highly prevalent among pregnant women in Franceville, driven primarily by age-related factors and modulated by access to structured care, as evidenced by the protective effect of HIV status. These findings underscore the need for targeted health education during prenatal visits, integration of traditional medicine discussions into maternal counseling, and improved access to quality antenatal care, especially for adolescents and older pregnant women in underserved areas.

Keywords : Evaluation; Self-Medication; Parturients; CHUAB; Franceville; Gabon.

References :

1. World Health Organization. (2023). SDG Target 3.1: Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
2. Sidze EM, Wekesah FM, Kisia L, Abajobir A. Inequalities in Access and Utilization of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services in sub-Saharan Africa: A Special Focus on Urban Settings. Matern Child Health J. 2022 Feb;26(2):250-279. doi: 10.1007/s10995-021-03250-z. Epub 2021 Oct 15. Erratum in: Matern Child Health J. 2022 Sep;26(9):1944. doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03396-4. PMID: 34652595; PMCID: PMC8888372
3. Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Trujillo-Moreno MJ, Pérez-Acosta AM, Feliciano-Alfonso JE, Calderon-Ospina CA, Soler F. Definition of self-medication: a scoping review. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2022 Oct 5;13:20420986221127501. doi: 10.1177/20420986221127501. PMID: 36211626; PMCID: PMC9537481
4. Xiang, D. C., Xie, W. L., Cheng, G. Y., Yue, M., Du, X. Y., & Jiang, J. (2024). Pregnancy related adverse events and congenital disorders associated with fluoroquinolones: A real-world pharmacovigilance study of the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS). Heliyon, 10(18)
5. Ministry of Public Health of Gabon (2020). National Health Development Plan (NHDP). Libreville: Gabonese Republic.
6. Yangari JM, Nzoughe-Nkoghe JK, Obiang-Lemboumba P, et al. (2020). Pratiques d’Automédication chez les Femmes Enceintes à Franceville : Une Étude Exploratoire. Afr J Reprod Health, 24(2): 89-97
7. World Health Organization (2021). Self-Medication with Antibiotics: Global Prevalence and Contributing Factors. Geneva: WHO.

8. Gashaw, T., Yadeta, T. A., Weldegebreal, F., Demissie, L., Jambo, A., & Assefa, N. (2025). The global prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the adult population: systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), 1-19.
9. Nzoughe-Nkoghe JK, Obiang-Lemboumba P, Yangari JM, et al. (2019). Usage of Medications during Pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Med Trop, 79(4): 387-394.
10. Mbindyo, R. M., et al. (2022). Self-medication during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 1–12.
11. Nguessan, K. A., et al. (2021). Self-medication in pregnancy: a public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. WHO Bulletin, 99(8), 589–597.
12. World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Guidelines on self-care interventions for health and well-being. Geneva: WHO
13. Mouyokolo, G., et al. (2023). Self-medication practices among pregnant women in Libreville: perceptions and risks. African Journal of Public Health, 7(1), 45–53.
14. Bouyou Akotet, M. B., et al. (2022). Self-medication practices among pregnant women in Libreville, Gabon: prevalence and associated factors. Pan African Medical Journal, 42, 112
15. Ibouanga, B., Mounganga, M., & Tchoba, C. (2024). Gabonese coastal cities, climate change, and development challenges. Collection Pluraxes/Monde.
16. Nana, P. N., et al. (2023). Determinants of self-medication among pregnant women in Yaoundé, Cameroon. International Journal of Women's Health, 15, 321–330.
17. Ministry of Health of Gabon. (2022). National Traditional Medicine Strategy 2022–2026. Libreville.