A STUDY ON DRUG USAGE PATTERN BASED ON SELF MEDICATION AMONG ADULTS IN SUB URBAN AREAS OF TAMIL NADU.

Abstract

WHO denes self medication as “the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self recognized illnesses or symptom”. Symptom based self medication has been prevalent among adult population done through OTC drugs to save cost, time & convenient without consulting a doctor. Aims: Our study aimed to assess the inuencing factors among self medication users based symptoms, drug usage pattern & other factors Methods and Material: After obtaining ethical committee clearance, 132 adults who undertook self medications were interviewed on socio demographic details & inuencing factors for self medication was asked upon where. Data analyses are expressed in frequency with percentage. Results: Based on the self medication practice age group 40-49 years & 20-29 years, females, education(Graduate & above - 50.8%), occupation (professional - 25%) were being predominant users of self medication in our study. Pharmacy/pharmacist played a major role based on the source (97%), knowledge on dose (50.8%). The major reasons for self medication practice were convenience (40.9%) & cost saving (31.1%). The most commonly used drugs were NSAIDS 42.1%, cough syrups 12.9% & antibiotics 8.6%. Based on the symptom based self medication fever, headache & pain accounted for the majority. Conclusions:In a country like India pharmacies acts as the rst point of contact between the patient and the health care system so patient awareness programs, support of pharmacists, stricter laws are required to optimize the use of OTC medicines thereby reducing self medication practice as well as drug dependence, antibiotic resistance.