Background: Self-medication (SM) among women during pregnancy poses a critical risk to maternal health, and SM is still commonly practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to assess the factors, attitudes, and prevalence of SM among pregnant women in the Ministry of Health (MOH) First Health Cluster. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used among 400 pregnant women who received care at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels. A structured tool was adopted and modified based on the literature review, expert and focus group interviews, and the experiences of the target participants. The dependent variables included history of illness, access to healthcare services, medication usage, and perception of SM, while the independent variables included socioeconomic status. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of SM was 36.5%. Cough syrup and antipyretics were the most commonly used medications, while hair problems and weight loss were the most frequently reported reasons for SM. The primary sources of information guiding SM behavior were prior prescriptions and previous experience. Education level, occupation, age, number of pregnancies, and miscarriage history were all significantly associated with SM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SM was found to be frequent among pregnant women in the First Health Cluster, highlighting the need for educational interventions and regulatory measures to reduce unsafe practices and improve maternal health.

The increasing cultural diversity in the world has led to concerns among many people, including those in healthcare settings. The discussion around diversity and inclusion is just starting to emerge in the health workforce research area. Benefits of diversity and inclusion in the business sector are well documented and include increased financial performance as well as improved problem solving, creativity, and innovation. Improved access to care and reduced health disparities are also benefits of diversity and inclusion in healthcare settings. A more diverse health workforce shows an increased ability of healthcare workers to offer culturally competent care, which is necessary for working in a multicultural society. This paper attempts to summarize information on the importance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare settings, benefits for healthcare workers and patients, and actions healthcare organizations can take to address diversity and inclusion. (Patel et al.2020)