ASSESSMENT OF SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICE - A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
M. Ranga Priya*, Abburi Lalitha Nandini, R. S. Abisha, Abitha Aravindakshan and M. S. Aiswaria
ABSTRACT
Aim & Objective: To assess the prevalence of self-medication practice among general public. To identify and co-relate the factors associated with self-medication among the participants including age, gender, educational status and region of residence. To identify the reason of medication without physician prescription, source of information on medication. Methods: The cross sectional survey study was conducted among 1002 participants with their consent. The questionnaire was conducted independently and data were recorded. Both open-ended and closed-ended questions were included. Data from questionnaires was converted into Microsoft ExcelSheet and cross checked against the entries in the questionnaire.After completion of data checks the results were analyzed. Results: Out of the 1002 participants, 71.9% participant’s self- medicated. Among them female were more dominant with 58.4% than the male participants 41.6%. The commonly used drugs were (64.9%) pain relievers, (48.5%) anti-diarrheal, and (41.7%) antibiotics. Self-medication was largely adopted for symptoms like headache 449(62.2%) and fever 363(50.3%). Most of the self-medicating participants (69%) received medicines from nearby pharmacy without physician prescription. Conclusion: Self-medication may bring serious and severe ill-effects if not practiced under proper guidance of physician or qualified pharmacists. The alarming fact is that the self- medication practice is highly prevalent among well-educated, young adult population. Strict regulatory measures may be enforced to educate the common public about the adverse effects of self-medication.
Keywords: Self-medication, Adolescent Practice, Medication Availability, E-pharmacy.
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