TERATOGENIC EFFECT OF DRUGS-KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE AMONG INTERNS-DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Context:-Teratogenicity is a major cause of abortion, still birth and can result in longterm disability with a significant impact on individuals, families, societies and healthcare systems. Drugs being one of the causes of teratogenicity, creating awareness among medical students, the future prescribing physicians, the rate of teratogenicity can be decreased. Attainment of right knowledge at right time about teratogenicity of a particular drug is very crucial which requires more awareness among general doctors in a country like India where most of the pregnant females are manged by these doctors only in peripheral regions.Aims:-1.To estimate the knowledge regarding teratogenicity of drugs and their practice of prescribing in pregnant women.2.To assess the gap between knowledge and practice among the interns.3.To heighten their awareness and inquisitiveness about teratogenicity of drugs. Settings and Design :This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among interns.
Methods and Material: The data was collected by self-administered closed ended questionnaire through Google forms. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software 21 version.
Results: Though majority of interns knew about teratogenic effect of drugs, only 60.8% believed that they can affect fetus through all gestational ages. Good number (73.3%)were practicing preconception counselling also.
Conclusions: Based on the findings of present study it is obvious that more emphasis should be put on improving knowledge about teratogenic drugs during early years of medical training in order to bring about necessary changes in existing practices of
treating doctors.