A cross-sectional study regarding the knowledge, attitude and awareness about self-medication among Bangladeshi people

Abstract

BackgroundSelf-medication is the use of medicinal products by the consumer which is not prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication practice (SMP) is widely adopted by the common people of developing countries like Bangladesh. MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study. Primary data were collected by conducting an online survey. Data collection was carried out from April 2021 to September 2021. The subjects were a minimum of 15 years of age. From 35 districts of Bangladesh, a total of 322 people of different age groups, education levels, and economic classes participated in the survey. Result71% (229) of the respondents were 21-25 years of age. 66% were undergraduate students. Most of them were from middle class society and well-educated. 80% of the population said that they had purchased or taken medicines without any prescription. 57% of them said they do not consider self-medication a very safe practice although, 87% of the population had practiced self-medication at least once in the preceding year. Antipyretics (212), Analgesics (165), Drugs for Cold/Cough (197) and Anti-ulcer/Antacids (140) were the majority categories of medicines that were used mostly for self-medication. Nearly all (311) of them collect SMP medicine from pharmacy shops. Previous prescriptions (146), advice from family or friends (165) and Internet or other media (113) were common sources of information for their self-medication practice. ConclusionSelf-medication practice is highly prevalent in Bangladesh. People are not aware enough about the possible negative outcomes of it. Therefore, regulatory laws should be implemented more strictly regarding buying and selling medicines. Lay SummaryThe rate of self-medication practice appears to be increasing in Bangladesh, due to a number of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors that include ready access to drugs, increased potential to manage certain illnesses through self- care, and greater availability of medicinal products. Self-medication is not only prevalent in Bangladesh, it is present at a catastrophic rate. This article shows the overall awareness level of people regarding SMP and other health issues, which medicines are commonly being bought by people and their sources of information.