CONDITIONS, FREQUENCIES, AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS LEADING SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE IN SARGODHA AREA OF PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence, attitude, awareness and practice of self medication amongst students of Sargodha University, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross –sectional study was conducted in the period from the beginning of January 2013 to April 2013 in Sargodha University, Pakistan. Convenience sample was selected. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence rate of self medication in study participants was found up to 83% that is 249/300. High prevalence rates of self medication were seen in conditions of common cold(87%), headache(82%) and other pains(83%), hence most commonly used medications were paracetamol (83%), other NSAIDS (67%), Antibiotics(50%) and vitamins(60%).High consultation cost (75%), minor illness cases(93%), having previous experience (70%), time shortage (59%), friend’s advice to take medicine (77%) are the main factors & 48% participants indulge in this practice due to easily availability of all drugs from drug stores w/o prescription , 59% found it convenient to use this practice and 75% (N=225) participants had no awareness about complications of medicines that are consumed w/o professional consultation. we found that there was no prominent difference of self medication practice in males and females and in different age groups and among different departments. Conclusion: Prevalence rate of self medication is alarming in university students. Thus further work should be done on larger scale and strict policies should be intimated to address this problem and give awareness to individuals about medication use.