Accuracy of the mothers’ information answers aboutnonprescribed medications (N = 377) use during breastfeeding
| The mothers’ information about nonprescribed medications during breastfeeding | Frequency (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| The accuracy of the mothers’ | Accurate | 212 (56.2%) |
| information about the side effects | information | |
| of nonprescribed medications | Inaccurate | 131 (34.7%) |
| information | ||
| The mothers | 14 (3.7%) | |
| did not have | ||
| any information | ||
| Not enough | 20 (5.3%) | |
| data available | ||
| The accuracy of the mothers’ | Accurate | 278 (73.7%) |
| information about routine breast- | information | |
| feeding while taking nonprescribed medications | Inaccurate information | 73 (19.4%) |
| Not enough | 26 (6.9%) | |
| data available | ||
| The accuracy of the mothers’ | Accurate | 261 (69.2%) |
| information about secretion of | information | |
| nonprescribed medications into breast milk | Inaccurate information | 31 (8.2%) |
| The mothers | 41 (10.9%) | |
| did not have any | ||
| information | ||
| Not enough | 44 (11.7%) | |
| data available |
Nonprescribed medications classification based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system (N = 377)
| Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Alimentary tract and metabolism | 45 (11.9%) |
| Blood and blood-forming organs | 14 (3.7%) |
| Cardiovascular system | 2 (0.5%) |
| Genito-urinary system and sex hormones | 34 (9.0%) |
| Anti-infectives for systemic use | 53 (14.1%) |
| Musculoskeletal system | 32 (8.5%) |
| Nervous system | 173 (45.9%) |
| Anti-parasitic products, insecticides, and repellents | 4 (1.1%) |
| Respiratory system | 19 (5.0%) |
| Sensory organs | 1 (0.30%) |
| Total | 377 (100%) |
Nonprescribed medications use data (N = 377)
| Drug use data | Categories | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Source of drug | Family members and friends | 73 (19.3%) |
| information for self-medication | Internet and online social media | 12 (3.2%) |
| Pharmacy staff | 153 (40.6%) | |
| Previous experiences | 140 (37.1%) | |
| Health centers | 13 (3.4%) | |
| Duration of the | Less than one week | 293 (77.7%) |
| nonprescribed medication use | One week to one month | 54 (14.3%) |
| More than one month | 30 (8.0%) | |
| Time of the drug | The first six months after | 225 (60.7%) |
| use during the | delivery | |
| 18 months after delivery | The second six months after delivery | 194 (51.4%) |
| The third six months after | 52 (13.7%) | |
| delivery | ||
| Common indica- | Digestive problems | 9 (2.4%) |
| tions medication for self- | Urinary problems | 7 (1.9%) |
| Migraine and pain | 141 (37.4%) | |
| Problems with milk volume | 23 (6.1%) | |
| Respiratory problems | 129 (34.2%) | |
| Anaemia | 15 (4.0%) | |
| Tooth infection | 14 (3.7%) | |
| Abscesses and breast infec- | 3 (0.8%) | |
| tions | ||
| Uterine infection | 6 (1.6%) | |
| Other | 30 (8.0%) |
Reasons for using nonprescribed medications (N = 377)
| Reasons | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 outbreak | 246 (65.3%) |
| Financial problems and cost saving | 75 (19.9%) |
| Unseriousness of the disease from the mothers’ perspectives | 114 (30.2%) |
| Consulting with close relatives who are physicians | 14 (3.7%) |
| The mother or father is a physician or a therapist | 16 (4.2%) |
| Absence of health insurance | 4 (1.1%) |
| Consulting with health center staff and care providers | 5 (1.3%) |
| Anti-parasitic products, insecticides, and repellents | 4 (1.1%) |
| Poor health service provision due to living in a deprived area | 1 (0.3%) |
| Easier access to a pharmacy than to a doctor | 52 (13.8%) |
Classification of nonprescribed medications (n = 377) during breastfeeding based on UptoDate Database, drug information leaflets, and Briggs
| Classification | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Compatible | 279 (74.0%) |
| No human data – probably compatible | 61 (16.2%) |
| Breastfeeding is contraindicated by the manufacturer | 18 (4.8%) |
| Limited human data – probably compatible | 6 (1.6%) |
| Breastfeeding is allowed only upon the physician’s advice | 1 (0.3%) |
| Breastfeeding is not recommended by the manufacturer | 10 (2.7%) |
| Limited human data – potential toxicity | 2 (0.5%) |
Demographic characteristics of the participating mothers (n = 228), infants’ diets and daily breastfeeding patterns
| Characteristics | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Routes of birth delivery | |
| Caesarean section | 119 (52.2%) |
| Vaginal delivery | 109 (47.8%) |
| Mothers’ education | |
| Illiterate | 6 (2.6%) |
| Less than high school diploma | 21 (9.2%) |
| High school diploma | 89 (39.0%) |
| More than high school diploma | 112 (49.2%) |
| Mothers’ jobs | |
| Housewife | 182 (79. 8%) |
| Employee | 41 (18.0%) |
| University student | 1 (0.4%) |
| Medical staff | 4 (1.8%) |
| Fathers’ jobs | |
| Unemployed | 4 (1.8%) |
| Self-employed | 155 (68.0%) |
| Employee | 63 (27.6%) |
| University student | 1 (0.4%) |
| Medical staff | 5 (2.2%) |
| Income per month (dollar) | |
| Less than 70 | 41 (18.0%) |
| 70-170 | 134 (58.8%) |
| More than 170 | 53 (32.2%) |
| Infants’ diets | |
| Exclusive breastfeeding | 49 (21.5%) |
| Breastfeeding plus supplementary food | 155 (68.0%) |
| Breastfeeding plus infant formula | 8 (3.5%) |
| Breastfeeding plus infant formula plus | 16 (7.0%) |
| supplementary food | |
| Breastfeeding (times per day) | |
| Less than 5 times | 28 (12.3%) |
| 5-10 times | 119 (52.2%) |
| More than 10 times | 81 (35.5%) |
Questions and mothers’ answers about nonprescribed medications (N = 377) use during breastfeeding
| Questions | answers | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Did you read the drug information leaflet before using the non-prescribed | Yes | 118 (31.3%) |
| medication? | No | 259 (7/68%) |
| Did the drug have any effects on the | Yes | 74 (19.6%) |
| quality and quantity of your milk? | No | 292 (77.5%) |
| Did not notice | 11 (2.9%) | |
| Did you breastfeed as usual while | Yes | 363 (96.3%) |
| taking the nonprescribed medication? | No | 14 (3.7%) |
| Yes | 286 (75.9%) | |
| No | 30 (8.0%) | |
| Is the used drug secreted into breast milk? | Do not know | 61 (16.2%) |
| Is the drug use during lactation | Yes | 209 (55.4%) |
| permissible? | No | 28 (7.4%) |
| Do not know | 140 (37.1%) | |
| Does the used drug have adverse | Yes | 20 (5.3%) |
| effects on infants? | No | 343 (91.0%) |
| Do not know | 14 (3.7%) |