Evaluation of self medication practices in common illness among non health care professionals in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Many studies have investigated the prevalence of self medication practices. World health organization promotes the practice of self medication for relief of symptoms without medical consultation to reduce the burden on health care services. Majority of the individuals in developing country like India have poor knowledge about appropriate use of self mediction, but still they practice taking it without knowing the benefits and risk factors.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study aimed to gather information about prevalence of self medication in common illness among non health care professionals in a tertiary care hospital. The sample size comprised of 215 participants. Data was collected through an open ended semi structured questionnaire. All the descriptive data was coded, entered in micro soft excel and analysed with frequencies and proportions.Results: The prevelance of self medication was found to be 96%. Near about 30% of participants got information from pharmacist regarding self medication. 27% participants followed allopathy medicine.16% participants used becosules and mucaine gel for mouth and throat ulcers.26% participants used D-cold total for cough and cold.15% participants used dolo 650mg for fever and headache.41.7% participants used ciprofloxacin for ear and eye infections.26.6% participants used gelusil for GI infection .25.7% participants used calamine lotion for skin infections and 48% participants used turmeric for other minor ailments as self medication medicines.Conclusions: As the prevalence of self medication is high among educated participants. The present study suggest the growing trend of self medication has to be prevented by applying strong policies and prohibiting the supply of medicines without a valid prescription.