Table 1. Main socio-demographic and personal characteristics of the study population.

	n	%
Age (years)	29.1±6.4 (15–44)*
≤20	55	10.9
21–25	100	19.9
26–30	126	25.1
31–35	124	24.6
>35	98	19.5
Nationality
Italian	403	80.1
Other	100	19.9
Marital status
Married/Cohabiting	427	84.9
Other	76	15.1
Education level
No formal education or elementary school	52	10.3
Middle school	188	37.4
High school	205	40.8
College degree or higher	58	11.5
Employment status
Employed	224	44.6
Unemployed	279	55.4
Parity
Nulliparous	202	40.2
Parous	301	59.8
Number of pregnancies not completeda
0	317	63
1	144	28.6
≥2	42	8.4
Gestational age (weeks)	26.1±9*
First trimester	42	8.4
Second trimester	225	44.7
Third trimester	236	46.9
Pregnancy at risk
Yes	90	17.9
No	413	82.1
Self-perceived health status	7.5±1.7 (2–10)*
At least one health problem in the last year
Yes	90	17.9
No	413	82.1
At least one medical consultation in the last year
Yes	462	91.9
No	41	8.1
At least one General Practitioner visit in the current pregnancy
Yes	133	26.4
No	370	73.6
Use of medications in previous pregnanciesb
Yes	217	57.9
No	158	42.1
Use of medications in the current pregnancy
Yes	300	59.6
No	203	40.4
Use of at least one medication with prescription
Yes	205	40.8
No	298	59.2
Use of at least one medication without prescription
Yes	221	43.9
No	282	56.1
Number of medications usedc	1.9±1 (1–7)*
1	125	41.7
2	114	38
≥3	61	20.3

*Mean ± standard deviation (range)

^aMiscarriage or abortion

^bOnly for those who had other pregnancies completed or not completed (n = 375)

^cOnly for those who have taken medications in the current pregnancy (n = 300)