Pregnancy is a special physiological state where medication intake
presents a challenge and concern due to altered drug pharmacokinetics and drug
crossing the placenta possibly causing harm to the fetus. Aim: The aim of this study
was to investigate the effectiveness of video assisted nursing counseling intervention
on pregnant women knowledge, attitude and practice towards self -medication. Design:
Quasi - experimental design (pre-post counseling) was used to carry out the study.
Setting: The study was conducted in two Maternal and Child Health Care Centers at
Shebin Elkom, Menoufia governerate. Sampling: A purposive sample of two hundred
and fifty-seven pregnant women (one group pretest and posttest). Tools: Four tools
were used for data collection a) Interviewing questionnaire b) Knowledge assessment
questionnaire c) Attitude assessment questionnaire d) Practice assessment
questionnaire. Results: This study showed that there was a highly significant difference
at study participants knowledge, attitude, and practice towards self-medication pre and
post video assisted nursing counseling intervention. Conclusion: Video assisted
nursing counseling intervention had high significant impact on improving knowledge,
changing attitude, and practice of study participants towards self-medication.
Recommendation: ongoing education for maternity nurses about self-medication
during pregnancy and its bad consequences, implementing in-service counseling
programs regarding side effect of self- medication use during pregnancy to all expectant
women, and replication of the study with large sample size to further settings.