Self-Medication Practices: A Threatening Challenge
Vaishnavi Bante
Datta Meghe Institute of Management Studies DMIMS, India.
Vaishali Rahate *
Datta Meghe Institute of Management Studies DMIMS, India.
Rahul Dixit
Job Travia Pvt. Ltd., India.
Rakesh Kumar Jha
Department of Biochemistry Datta Meghe Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Roshan Kumar Jha
Department of Biochemistry Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Self-Medication is a growing concern for the health authorities especially in Urban population. This research was aimed to find the various determinants of Self-Medication and to assess the influence of Pharmacists, Perception about doctors, Self- Knowledge gaining attitude of the patients on Self-Medication.
Methods: This study was conducted in Nagpur city with a random sample constituting house wives, students, professionals and Businessman. The sample size was 71. Descriptive analyses, correlation analyses and multiple regressions were performed using SPSS Version 21.0.
Results: The results indicated that 80% of the housewives take the medicines on the basis of previous prescription, word of mouth or on the suggestion of the pharmacist. It was alarming to find that 76% of the students took the medicines on the basis of web search. Fever (39%), headache (33%) & Abdominal pain (23%) are the prominent reasons for Self-Medication. There was a positive correlation between Advice of Pharmacist, Self-knowledge collection attitude of the patient with the Self-Medication behavior. NSAID’s, anti-allergen and antibiotics are the most frequently used drugs.
Conclusion: Self-medication is an important health issue prevalent in India. Over the counter (OTC) and Old prescriptions available with the patients leads to rise in Self-Medication. There should be a strict regulatory control on procurement of drugs from the pharmacist.
Keywords: Self- Medication, Health care, Urban