Prevalence, Self-Medication Practices, and Knowledge Levels on Analgesic Among Residents of Nalut, Libya: A Cross – Sectional Study

Abstract

Self-medication (SM) has become an increasingly important symptom management option for common conditions today. Irrational SM practice leads to incorrect diagnosis and a risk factor for disease exacerbation and serious health consequences. Hence responsible SM is vital for better health outcomes. In the present community- based study, we explored the prevalence the SM practice among residents, frequency, outcome, distribution of different level of knowledge about Paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen analgesics. Cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 1218 participants depending on multi-stage random sampling technique. The sample was taken among the consumers of community facilities in Nalut- Libya. Data were analyzed using SPSS; Chi-square test was performed to indicate significance, frequency, percentage. A total of 1218 residents completed the survey, prevalence of SM practiced was 12.95%, The mean age of participants was 25±30, ranged from 18 to 41 and above years. Most of residents 834 (68.5%) were in undergraduate level, 725 (59.5%) were employing and 559 (45.9%) were in low income level and 170 (14%) had chronic diseases. There is no statistically significant deference between the level of knowledge to paracetamol, Aspirin and ibuprofen analgesics among participants and their age (X² =0.954, P= 0.812). Most the participants had poor knowledge toward paracetamol, Aspirin and ibuprofen analgesics.