A Study of Self Medication Practices among the People in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the self-medication practices among the Ernakulam people in Kerala, India. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at 3 community pharmacies at Ernakulam in Kerala. The study included 327 people visiting the pharmacy for purchasing drugs without prescriptions over a period of 3 months beginning from October to December 2016. Results: Out of 327 members, we found that percentage of male purchasing OTC drugs was 70.95% and the percentage of female was 29.05%. Our data shows that people in the age group of 20-30 years (43.42%) were taking more OTC drug than 30-40 years (26.60%), 40-50 years (19.88%) and remaining 10.1% in 50-60 years of age. Unemployed people 174(53.30%) were using more OTC drugs than self-employee 98(29.96%) and government employee 55(16.84%). Quick relief 185(56.57%) was the main reason for self-medication than high consultant fee 98(29.97%) and lack of time 44(13.46%). The sources of self-medication was found to be doctor’s previous prescriptions 185(56.57%), pharmacist 119(36.39%), TV/ Radio 11(3.34%) and books 12(3.70%). The most commonly used category of self-medicationwas analgesics/antipyretics 174(53.22%) of which fever 131(40.08%) was the main indication for the use of OTC drugs followed by antitussive 130(39.75%) and laxative 23(7.03%). Conclusion: From our study, we concluded that self-medication was very common among 20-30 years age group of male people inErnakulam. Quick relief is the main reason for self-medication. The survey high lights the urgent need of public education about specific risk or side effects of self-medication.