Frequency Of Self-medication Research Articles

Profile of drugs used for self-medication by elderly attended at a referral center.

ABSTRACTObjective To determine the profile of medications used for self-medication by the elderly.Methods A cross-sectional study based on interviews with elderly seen at a reference center for Elderly Health of a teaching hospital, from July 2014 to July 2015. Clinical, demographic and pharmacotherapeutic data were collected.Results A total of 170 elderly were interviewed, 85.9% female, and the median age was 76 years. The frequency of self-medication was 80.5%. The most used medications for self-medication were central acting muscle relaxants, analgesics and antipyretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents. Among the elderly who practiced self-medication, 55.5% used drugs that were inappropriate for the elderly, according to Beers criteria of 2015, and 56.9% used medications that showed therapeutic duplicity with the prescribed drugs. We identified 57 drugs used for self-medication, of which 30 (52.6%) were classified as over-the-counter and 27 (47.4%) as prescription drugs. Approximately 68.6% of elderly had at least one interaction involving drugs prescribed and those used for self-medication.Conclusion The practice of self-medication was frequent in the elderly studied. The widespread use of over-the-counter drugs and/or potentially inappropriate medications for elderly increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse events.

Frecuencia de automedicación en pacientes adscritos a un hospital general de zona con medicina familiar en Hidalgo, México

<p><strong>Objetivo:</strong> determinar la frecuencia de automedicación en una población de 18 a 70 años adscrita al hospital general de zona con medicina familiar no.1 de Pachuca, Hidalgo, México. <strong>Métodos:</strong> estudio transversal descriptivo en una muestra de 113 pacientes, los cuales fueron encuestados en las salas de espera de consulta externa de Medicina Familiar. Para calcular el tamaño de la muestra se utilizó la fórmula para estimar una proporción en poblaciones finitas. Se aplicó un cuestionario que incluyó preguntas sociodemográficas, frecuencia de la práctica de automedicación, tipo de medicación, motivos y factores que la predisponen. <strong>Resultados:</strong> la prevalencia de automedicación fue de 87.61%. <span>La muestra estuvo representada por mujeres en 66.37%. La principal razón que motivó la automedicación fue el no considerar la enfermedad como grave en 57%; los medicamentos más utilizados fueron analgésicos con 84.85%; el dolor de cabeza fue el principal síntoma para la automedicación en 60.61% de los pacientes, seguido de gripe y dolor de garganta. Se identificó que 64.65% desconocía los efectos adversos de los medicamentos consumidos. <strong>Conclusión:</strong> la frecuencia de automedicación en la población analizada fue muy alta, lo cual conlleva a riesgos importantes para la salud. Es necesario que se generen estrategias para evitar o disminuir esta práctica.</span></p>

The determinants of self-medication: Evidence from urban Vietnam

ABSTRACTThis study examines the primary determinants of self-medications among urban citizens in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam using survey data. Employing logistic models, the article finds that the probability of self-medication is positively associated with the respondents’ high school degree or vocational certificate, married status, and income while it is negatively related to employed status, the number of children, the geographical distance from home to the nearest hospital, doing exercise, and living in a central region. Meanwhile, using Poisson models the article finds that the frequency of self-medication is positively associated with the respondents’ high school and vocational, married, income, and chronic disease while the frequency of self-medication is adversely related to male, employed, children number, distance, being close to health professional and central areas.

Evaluation of Self Medication among Students from Different Universities in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Objective: We aimed to find out frequency of self medication among university students of Chittagong, Bangladesh by using a cross sectional questionnaire based survey study.Method: For this study, 439 students selected from nine universities of Chittagong through non-probability convenience sampling.Results: Among the total respondents, 278(63.32%) respondents were males and 161(36.67%) respondents were females. The most important reasons for self medication were no need to visit doctor for minor illness 227(51.70%) and quick relief 161(36.67%). Among the total respondents, 229(52.16%) used same direction of self medication of him/her for their family. The highest proportion of respondents 229(52.16%) did not check expiry date of medicine when they buy medicine from retail pharmacy. There were several conditions they had used self medications and the greatest number of students used to treat headache 273(62.18%) and fever 199(45.33%). The data reveals that the highest proportion, 243(55.35%) students learned medications from doctor prescription provided to cure their previous illness. The greatest number of students 398(90.66%) chooses allopathic medicine among four different system of medicine. The respondents used different allopathic drugs used in self medications where greatest number 296(67.42%) used analgesics.Conclusion: This study revealed that the prevalence and practices of self-medication among the university student and the greater part of students had a poor knowledge about proper self-medication whereas the knowledge of the benefits and risks were not adequate.J MEDICINE January 2017; 18 (1) : 15-20

Automedicación en personas adultas que acuden a boticas del Distrito Jesús Nazareno, Ayacucho 2015

Introducción. La automedicación es un problema serio que afecta la salud de la población. Los estudios demostraron que hay relación entre la automedicación y los factores sociodemográficos y culturales. Objetivo. Determinar la frecuencia y las características de la automedicación en personas adultas que acuden a las boticas. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo y transversal. Lugar. Distrito Jesús Nazareno (DJN), Ayacucho, Perú. Intervenciones. Previo consentimiento informado, se realizaron encuestas a personas adultas que acudieron a 22 boticas durante setiembre a diciembre de 2015. La muestra fue probabilística aleatoria simple, conformada por 433 personas cuyas edades fluctuaron entre 25 a 65 años. La encuesta fue aprobada por el Comité Institucional de Ética en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Salud. Los datos fueron procesados en el programa estadístico SPSS 19.0. Resultados. La frecuencia de automedicación fue (87,8%). Las mujeres (67,9%) se automedicaron más que los varones, ambos con estudio superior (42,9%). El principal problema de salud fue el dolor (64,7%). Los encuestados consideraron que su enfermedad era leve (92,1%) y esperaron demasiado tiempo en los servicios de salud (18,7%). Las personas que fueron recomendadas por un técnico representaron el 69,4%, mientras que las personas influidas por la televisión, 74,7%; principalmente usaron los analgésicos (64,7%). Conclusiones. La automedicación en personas adultas del DJN fue alta, se presentó en ocho de cada diez personas y con estudios de nivel superior; predominó el sexo femenino. El principal problema de salud fue el dolor. El medicamento más usado fue el analgésico, el cual fue requerido principalmente porque las personas consideraron que su enfermedad era leve. Asimismo, un porcentaje considerable señaló que en los servicios de salud el tiempo de espera es prolongada.

The Determinants of Self-Medication: Evidence from Urban Vietnam

This study examines the primary determinants of self-medications among urban citizens in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam using survey data. Employing logistic models, the article finds that the probability of self-medication is positively associated with the respondents' high school degree or vocational certificate, married status, and income while it is negatively related to employed status, the number of children, the geographical distance from home to the nearest hospital, doing exercise, and living in a central region. Meanwhile, using Poisson models the article finds that the frequency of self-medication is positively associated with the respondents' high school and vocational, married, income, and chronic disease while the frequency of self-medication is adversely related to male, employed, children number, distance, being close to health professional and central areas.

Self-medication Practice Amongst Patients Visiting a Tertiary-care Dental Hospital in Central India.

To assess self-medication practice-related awareness for correct usage and its association with demographic factors among patients reporting to a dental college. This descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 300 patients reporting to the People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, India. Only patients ≥ 18 years of age were included and consenting participants anonymously completed the questionnaire, with incomplete questionnaires being excluded from the study. The semi-structured questionnaire containing both open- and closedended questions was prepared in the local language and included demographic data, name of self-medication, frequency of self-medication, periods of illness, duration, dose, frequency of drug administration, symptoms for which drugs were used, satisfaction with healthcare facilities, source of information for self-medication, presence of chronic illness, adverse effects to self-medication seen in patients and drug interactions. The unpaired t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A significant association was seen between education and self-medication. It was observed that the subjects who fell ill more frequently consumed medications on their own more often. Medications were most commonly taken for cough, cold and fever. The most preferred medicine was paracetamol. Most of the subjects found the medicines effective in helping them relieve their symptoms. However, not even half of the subjects were aware of the dose, duration, side-effects or interactions of medicines. There was a significant association between knowledge about side-effects and side-effects experienced from medication. A significant association was also seen between knowledge about side-effects and frequency of self-medication. Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing are relatively common in Bhopal. Knowledge regarding the appropriate usage of medication is inadequate. Education to help patients decide on the appropriateness of selfmedication is required.

Self-Medication Practice among Pharmacists in UAE

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of self-medication behavior among practicing pharmacists in UAE. Methods: This anonymous questionnaire-based study was conducted between October and December 2014, using a prepiloted questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a total of 168 pharmacists. Data were analyzed using SPSS and results were expressed as number of respondents and percentage of total participants. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 149 pharmacists, and response rate was 89% with 53% of respondents being Arabs. Out of the 149 pharmacists respondents, 71 (47.7%) are males, and 78 (52.3%) are females. The mean age among pharmacists was 28. Large number of pharmacists practiced self-medication (96.6%). The majority obtained their medication from pharmacies (92.6%). Most respondents were aware of bacterial resistance and the concept of rational drug use. However, 69 (43%) of pharmacists had used antibiotics without consultation in the past year. The main reasons for self-medication were that their health problem is not serious (42%) and their knowledge on drugs and diseases helps (31%). Reasons against self-medication included risk of misdiagnosis of illness and risk of adverse effects. Pharmacists tended to seek medical consultation mostly in case of symptoms lasting for more than one week or when symptoms were worsening. Discussion: The frequency of self-medication among pharmacists is high. The professional exposure to drugs and knowledge of illness and treatment choice remains the fundamental contributors to self-medication practice among pharmacists. Interventions to promote rational self-medication among practicing pharmacists are required and pharmacists must be encouraged to enter the patient role.

Associations between Self-medication, Health Literacy, and Self-perceived Health Status: A Community-Based Study.

Background:Although the frequency of self-medication has been well-documented in the public health literature, but no study has examined the relationship between health literacy and self-medication yet. This study was aimed to investigating the relationship between health literacy and self-medication in a community-based study.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 924 adults to survey association between health literacy and self-medication among peoples in Ardabil city in 2014 who were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method. Health literacy was measured by the test of functional health literacy in adults and general health status was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and self-reported self-medication (overall, sedative, antibiotic and herbal) in last 3 months was assessed. All statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 18 and a P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results:The mean age and weight of respondents were 37 years and 74.7 kg, respectively. The prevalence of self-medication was 61.6%, and the percentage of self-administering antibiotics, sedative, and herbal medicines were 40%, 54.4%, and 59.1% in the last 3 months, respectively. Significant relationship was found between of total health literacy and general health status with self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication among participants with poor and very poor self-rated physical and mental health was significantly higher than other participants (P < 0.001).Conclusions:Self-medication had a significant relationship with health literacy and health status. Therefore, the design and implementation of training programs are necessary to increase the perception on the risk of self-medication.

Self-medication in health students from two Brazilian universities

Self medication is a component of self care and it is considered as primary public health resource in health care system. It can be defined as use of non-prescription medicines by people on their own initiative. Dentists, together with doctors and veterinarians, comprise the professional classes that may and must prescribe medications for their patients. On the other hand, the nursing professionals are the ones who more administer drugs to patients in the ambulatory and hospital. Objective: This study was aimed to find out the frequency of self medication in selected university students, to find out the difference in the proportions of self medication between dentistry and nursing students, as well to evaluate the students’ knowledge of harmful effects of self medication and common problems of students that use the self medication. Material and methods: We were applied 209 questionnaires among dentistry students from the 3rd to 8th semesters at the Paulista University/Goiânia and 542 among nursing students from the 3rd to 8th semesters at the Estacio de Sa University of Goiás. Results and conclusion: In the present study was observed a high rate of self-medication among undergraduate students in the health area, particularly among the dentistry and nurse students. The result was alarming because the professional him/herself who should educate patients and dissuade them from this practice is a habitual user; it makes it more difficult to aspire to the future inhibition and reduction of this practice that is so harmful to health.

English

BACKGROUND: Self medication is mainly symptomatic based and may lead to the masking of signs and symptoms of underlying disease. Medical students being exposed to the subjects in medicine are more prone for self medication. This raises the concerns of incorrect self- diagnosis, drug interaction, and use of drugs other than for the original indication. AIMS: To study the pattern of self medication among medical students and to determine the factors affecting it. METHODS AND MATERIAL: STUDY DESIGN & SETTING: A cross-sectional descriptive study done in a medical college. Study Duration: March 15th to April 20th 2013. Participants: Out of 400 students, 302 students who were willing to participate and available during study period were enrolled in the study. Representation from all phases/batches of MBBS course was ensured, accounting to 77, 84, 63 and 78 students from first, second, third and final phase of MBBS. Data collection: By self administered pre-tested & validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by applying proportions/percentages. RESULTS: Out of 302 participants, 25.8% were males & 74.2% were females. Practice of self medication was reported by 64.9% students. It was 16.9% in first phase students which shoot to 100% in final phase. Practice of self medication was higher in males while the frequency of self medication was higher in females. Seniors (89.8%) and previous prescriptions (87.2%) were the most common sources for reference. Fever (70.4%), common cold (67.8%) and headache/bodyache (64.7%) were the common reasons for self medication. Analgesics (79.6%), antipyretics (79.6%) and anti-histaminic (72.4%) were the most common drugs used for self medication. 30.1% of them took antibiotics and 9.7% sedatives without prescription. 80.1% (157) of those who took self medication said that they prescribed drugs for others also (friends/relatives). None of them suffered any adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of self medication is widely prevalent in medical students especially among third and final phase students. This may possibly mask the initial signs and symptoms of diseases and lead to making a wrong diagnosis and risk of using a wrong drug. This highlights the importance of impressing the students about the dangers of self medication, their misuse and their responsibility.

Indiscriminate Use of Inhibitors of the Proton Pump in the Mexican Population

Purpose: The aims of this study are to conduct a cohort study to determine whether Mexican population overuse of inhibitors of proton pump, to determine the use without indication, and also to identify alarm symptoms prior treatment. Methods: We collected three age groups, male and female gender, schooling, medication, who gave them the indication to use it, consumption habit, total consumption time, reason (dyspepsia, heartburn or regurgitation, indigestion, or only for medical reasons), and, if present, at least one alarm symptom prior to initiation of therapy. Results: A total of 136 random people were interviewed, of which 94 (69%) consumed PBI or ranitidine, the age group with the highest consumption was the 25-55 years in 75%, followed by 15% in those aged 55 years or older, and 10% in those aged 25 or younger. Women had more consumption by 62%. According to their schooling, predominated by 49% degree, 16% graduate, 12% primary school, 10% high school, none 10%, technical 3%. The most commonly used medication was omeprazole by 68% followed by 12% pantoprazole, 5% esomeprazole, and 3% lansoprazole; ranitidine by 12%. Forty percent of these were patent, 39% generic, 11% institutional, and 10% similar. Habit consumption was 78% corresponded to once daily, 19% twice per day, and 3% more than twice per day. Time consumption 41% more than 1 year, 21% for 6 months to 1 year, 21% for 1 month, 16% for 1 week, and 1% for 3 months. The most frequent symptom was dyspepsia by 68%, followed by heartburn and or regurgitation 14%, 14% had more than two symptoms, 2% indigestion, and 2% by medical indication. Seventeen percent had at least one alarm symptom prior treatment, of which 13% were dysphagia, 2% weight loss, 1% chest pain, and 1% hematemesis. The prescription was made by general practitioner in 37%, followed by gastroenterologist in 18%, 12% other specialist, 27% by friend, family member, or self-medication, and 6% by media. Conclusion: In the Mexican population, the overuse of proton pump inhibitors and ranitidine is of 70%, being used mostly by young patients under 55 years in which an average consumption is greater than 1 year. Omeprazole was the most used, frequency of self-medication was 33%, corresponding to a third of the cases, and 17% of people presented alarm symtoms prior treatment. The use of these medications should be better regulated, so as to have more precise indications, because many patients may have alarm symptoms and not be captured by health personnel indicated for monitoring and so avoid long-term complications.

Reasons for Self-Medication and Perceptions of Risk Among Mexican Migrant Farm Workers

Although the frequency of self-medication among Mexican migrants has been well-documented in the public health literature, the multiple reasons for this practice are poorly understood. Most studies point to migrants' cultural preferences for Mexican medications, their prior experiences in countries where antibiotics are loosely regulated, and their lack of access to health care as the primary factors behind their self-medication. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews with 23 Mexican migrants in a farm working community in the interior of California, we argue that occupational vulnerability is an equally important factor that encourages self-medication. All 23 of our interviewees reported having engaged in some degree of self-medication, notable in this location 8 h from the US-Mexico border. Among interviewees, occupational vulnerability represented an even more important factor influencing self-medication than lack of health insurance or lack of legal documentation. While interviewees did express a preference for Mexican medications as more potent and effective, this did not necessarily translate to a preference for using them without a doctor's supervision. Finally, we show that rather than remaining unaware of the risks of following this custom "transported from Latin America", Mexican migrants devised an elaborate hierarchy of resort of the safest self-medication practices to follow.

Headache in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years in Northern Italy: Prevalence and risk factors

Objective Aim of this study is to examine the epidemiology of paediatric headache and periodic syndromes in a school population and to evaluate the co-existence of environmental predisposing conditions. Design and methods A 60-item questionnaire was completed by a school-based sample ( n = 1536, ages 6–18 years). Diagnostic assessment of primary headache and periodic syndromes was established in first section; predisposing conditions in the second section; while the third section quantified the frequency of self medication and identified drugs most frequently used. Results Headache was reported by 62.1% of subjects. Socioeconomic status, composition of family unit and nutrition habits in the first year of life did not appear significantly different in subjects with headache compared to healthy controls. A good sleep quality was found in 95.2% of healthy controls, in 89.4% of children with occasional headache. Recurrent abdominal pain, motor weakness and car sickness was significantly higher in primary headache group compared to occasional headache. Depressive/anxious traits were significantly higher in primary headache and occasional headache groups than in healthy controls. The frequency of aggressive traits was also higher in children with primary headache compared to occasional headache and healthy control subjects. 72.5% of subjects with primary headache and 58.4% of children with occasional headache assumed medicines to relieve pain. Paracetamol was the most frequently assumed drug. Conclusions Our data show a more frequent occurrence of anxious/depressive profile in children suffering from primary headache. In agreement with literature data, this research points out that self-treatment is a relevant problem in paediatric headache.

Self-medication in Germany

We introduce the legal background of self-medication with OTC-drugs in Germany with regard to the pharmacy, drug store and health food shop distribution channels and the qualifications of the sales personnel. We give an overview of the frequency of self-medication and discuss risk/benefit in a pharmacoepidemiological context.

Self-medication with antibiotics in Slovenian general population

Background: The relationship between antibiotic usage and resistance is strongly supported by several studies. The frequency of self-medication with antibiotics and to what extent self-medication is a contributing factor to the prevalence of resistance is not known. Methods: A postal questionnaire was developed collaboratively in English in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands. In a population survey 19 European countries including Slovenia participated. A postal questionnaire in Slovene was distributed to 3000 randomly selected subject in urban and rural area of Ljubljana. The study population consisted of adults aged 18 years and above. The participants were asked a series of standardized questions regarding their use of antibiotics during the last 12 months, how these were obtained if they had any antibiotics at home and if they would consider using antibiotics for themselves and their children without contacting a physician. Results: 1143 (38%) persons completed the questionnaire. The mean age among the respondents was 48.1 years. Use of antibiotics during the last year was reported by 31% of the adult respondents and 42.4% of children. 15/1139 (1.3%) got antibiotics from leftover, 2 (0.17%) from friends and relatives and 2 (0.7%) directly from pharmacy. 20.4% of respondents had antibiotics at home. Among the respondents 10.1% (109/1071) would use antibiotics without contacting a doctor and 17.8% (191/1071) may use them. The antibiotics would or may be used without contacting a doctor for treatment of 4.7% of children. Conclusions: Self-medication, intended self-medication and storage of antibiotics at home represent a common practice in Slovenia. The frequency of storage of antibiotic at home should be reduced and the public should be informed on the possible adverse consequences of self-medication.

Automedicación en individuos de la Región de la Araucanía con problemas musculoesqueléticos

Self-medication is a common behavior in the general population, specially among those suffering from chronic pain. To study the prevalence and characteristics of self medication. Aiming to know the prevalence and features of self medication, a structured interview was applied to 272 out of 419 individuals from the general population, that reported musculoskeletal symptoms. Sixty five percent of those interviewed recognised self medication. No gender differences were observed and there was a trend towards a higher frequency of self medication among older individuals. The frequency of self-medication was higher in low socioeconomic groups, subjects with long lasting pain, those with more severe pain and among subjects with a previous prescription. The drugs more frequently used were dipyrone, piroxicam and aspirin. The average daily piroxicam dose reported was 27 mg. Self medication was not associated with the labor condition of the subjects or the time of occurrence of symptoms. Self medication is a frequent behavior, particularly among low socio-economic groups and those with long lasting and more severe pain.