Self-medication practices in rural Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is the use of medication by a patient on his/her own idea or on the suggestion of pharmacist on the opinion of a lay person instead of taking the advice of consulting a medical practitioner. Self -medication is the rising form of self-care and it is becoming a major problem in making the correct diagnosis. The objective was to study the prevalence of Self-Medication among rural population, to identify common aliment for Self-Medication and to find out reasons of Self-Medication.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in rural field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre, Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 424 adults aged 18 years and above were included in the study. The sample was drawn using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size. Data was collected using pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Data was analysed by using SPSS 20. Chi square test was used. P value <0.05 was considered as significant.Results: The prevalence of Self – Medication in the study population was 72% with no statistically significant gender difference. The common ailments necessitating self-medication were injury (80.3%), fever (76.5%), abdominal problems and diarrhoea (73.8%), respiratory problems (73.5%) etc. The major reasons for self- medication were found to be mild illness (52.1%), cost saving (50.3%), convenience (45.1%) etc.Conclusions: The study concluded that Self Medication was present in approx. three- fourth of the population. Therefore, steps in the form of information, education and communication are needed to make public aware about the ill effects of self-medication.