Self-Medications Among Higher Educated Population In Bangladesh: An Email-Based Exploratory Study

Abstract

Self-medication behaviours and trends of over-the-counter (OTC) use among higher educated population in Bangladesh are still not investigated. This email-based exploratory survey was conducted to explore the nature of self- medication along with use patterns among literati of the country. The study found that the concept of OTC medicine or rational use of medicine is not well understood among the study population. Nearly, 83% of the respondents bought the same medicines for their family members. Majority (77%) of the participants sought advice from sellers' to take medicines for minor ailments including common cold, allergy, mild fever or diarrhoea. Paracetamol was the mostly (80%) purchased by the respondents. Other medicines bought for self-medications were chlorpheniramine maleate, omeprazole, ranitidine, antacids, metronidazole, xylometazoline, vitamin C and multi-vitamin preparations.