Evaluation of Self-Medication and its Correlates Among Parturients in Prenatal Consultations at the Amissa Bongo University Hospital Center in Franceville, Southeast Gabon

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.