A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO KNOW THE PREVALENCE, PATTERN AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS WITH SELF‑MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG ADULT POPULATION OF DISTRICT AMBALA (HARYANA)
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Keywords
Self-medication practices, Prevalence, Pattern, Antibiotic use
Abstract
Background: “Self-medication (SM) is the practice of using medications without a legal prescription to treat self-diagnosed symptoms or medical conditions, on the principles of self-belief of the patient.” People tend to practice SM, as it cuts down the healthcare cost such as the consultation fees of the physician, moreover, they are time-saving. Although, SM is encouraged as a first-aid in certain emergency conditions.
Aim: The study aimed to know the prevalence, pattern & associated factors to self‑medication practices in the adult population of district Ambala, Haryana.
Material and Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was carried out in District Ambala (Haryana). A pretested semi-structured self-made questionnaire was used to collect data from 429 adult participants. Information regarding self‑medication use in the past 1year and associated sociodemographic factors, purpose, source of drug procurement, and attitude towards self‑medication use was collected. Data was entered into Excel and analyzed using SPSS IBM.
Results: Out of 429 subjects, 249 (58%) practiced self-medication practices. Majority were females (51%), Hindu were (81%), unmarried persons were (57%), and employed/job were (45%) who found practicing self‑medication, 54% belongs to rural area. The majority took self‑medication for fever (64%) & aches & pain (42%). Among the respondents, 57% used local pharmacy prescriptions to get medicine.
Conclusion: There is a need to augment awareness and implement legislation to promote judicious and safe practices. After Improving knowledge and understanding of self‑medication may result in rational use and thus limit emerging microbial resistance issues.
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Dr. Kapil Kumar
MD Community Medicine, Additional Senior Medical Officer, Mukand Lal District Civil Hospital, Yamunanagar, Haryana, India
Dr. Deepmala Kmaboj
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Mukand Lal National College, Yamunanagar, Haryana, India
Dr. Vijay Chawla
Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Maharaja Agrasen College, Jagadhri, District Yamunanagar, Haryana, India