PIH31 SELF MEDICATION: ASSESSMENT OF STATUS, PRACTICES AND PERCEPTION

Abstract

SELF MEDICATION: ASSESSMENT OF STATUS, PRACTICES AND PERCEPTION Saleem F1, Azhar S1, Al-Qazaz HK1, Ahmad N1, Atif M1, Haq N1, Iqbal Q2, Asif M3 1Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pinang, Malaysia, 2University of Balochistan, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, 3The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan OBJECTIVES: To determine the status, practices and perception of self-medication among general population of Quetta city, Pakistan. METHODS: Convenience sample was taken from respondents that were patrons of community pharmacies. A questionnaire about status, knowledge and perception against self medication was constructed, content validated and used for data collection. Pharmacists were hired for data collection and analyses were done by SPSS 15. RESULTS: A total of 840 patrons were approached and 784 responded (93.33%). 621 (79.20%) were males and 163 (20.79%) were females. Most respondents (74.25%) admitted to practice of self medication. Males were found to self medicate more (84.36%) than females (15.63%). Practices of self medication were found more in age group of 35-44 (32.27%). Body weakness/sexual problems (21.80%) were the major conditions for which self medication was performed. Multivitamins/sexual performance enhancer (22.36%), NSAIDS (17.65%) and antibiotics (15.32%) were commonly used drugs. Information related to the medicines was taken from people with past exposure (25.90%), chemist/pharmacist (20.50%) and family member (18.75%). Most patients (18.55%) described high physician expenses as the cause of their self medication. A total of 15.67% of the respondents revealed that they trust chemists and pharmacists more due to their past experiences. A total of 66.65% of population perceived that self medication helps them save money while 61.25% believed that self medication is harmless. CONCLUSIONS: Educational campaigns to educate the population about the rational use of medications are needed. The healthcare professionals must pay special attention on this issue. In addition, sale of medicines without prescriptions should be strictly prohibited and monitored by regulatory authorities.