ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The use of non-prescribed drugs are common to pregnant women. It may lead to undesirable effects, such as birth defects. Study results on the occurrence and predictor of non-prescribed drug use among pregnant women throughout Ethiopia are highly variable and inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of non-prescribed drug use and predictors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. METHODS: We systematically searched studies from the international databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library and others. The meta-analysis was conducted using Stata15. I2 test and Egger's test were used to assess the heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. The random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of non-prescribed drug use at a 95% CI. RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total of 4492 pregnant women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. The pooled national level non-prescribed drug use among pregnant women was 30.38% (95% CI: 20.28, 40.48). The highest use of non-prescribed drug among pregnant women was observed in Amhara region 36.71%, while the lowest was in Tigray region 9.67%, respectively. The most frequently consumed non prescribed drugs by pregnant mothers were paracetamol 34.38%, amoxicillin 14.73%, aspirin 4.25%, metronidazole 2.81% and ciprofloxacin 2.80%. Maternal previous history of self-medication, maternal illness during pregnancy and maternal marital status were significantly associated with women non-prescribed drug use during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of non- prescribed drug use among pregnant women in Ethiopia is relatively high, and varies across different regions. The most frequently consumed non- prescribed drug by pregnant mothers was paracetamol. Maternal; previous history of self-medication, illness during pregnancy and marital status were significantly associated with pregnant women non-prescribed drug use. Awareness of the possible side effects of taking non-prescribed drugs for all pregnant women is very relevant in the media and in the maternity ward. In particular, it is important to make clear to mothers who have a history of self-medication, to those who have a history of illness during pregnancy and to those who are pregnant, unmarried or divorced.