EFFECTS OF A FACEBOOK PROFILE DEVOTED TO DRUG USE IN PREGNANCY ON DISCOVERY OF INAPPROPRIATE DRUG USE BY PREGNANT FEMALES USING FACEBOOK IN FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS

Abstract

Background. Although online social networking is increasingly used for medical purposes, studies investigating drug use among pregnant females by means of online networks are lacking.

Objective. The aim of our study was to investigate the extent of inappropriate drug use among pregnant women that can be revealed by creating a facebook profile with necessary information and using it as a tool for interacting with pregnant women.

Methods. The Facebook profile entitled “Preserve babies from drugs” was opened and kept active by a group of fourth-year students of pharmacy for 3 months. An introductory educational material about principles of drug use in pregnancy, information about health facilities offering counseling about pregnancy, information about Clinical pharmacology department offering counseling and an open-ended questionnaire were posted on “Notes” section of the Facebook profile.

Results. Out of  239 registered pregnant “friends” of the profile who received the questionnaire from the investigators, 93 responded (39%). Among the respondents, there were 50 pregnant women who took a medication(s) during current pregnancy (53.8%).

Even 42 of the respondents were using one or more drugs improperly. The most frequent drugs used improperly were multivitamin and multi-mineral preparations, oral antibiotics, parenteral progesterone and benzodiazepines.

Conclusions. The facebook profile devoted to drugs use in pregnancy could be useful adjunct to efforts of official health care institutions to discover inappropriate drug use and inform pregnant women appropriately.

Key Words. Facebook, online social networking, drugs, pregnancy