Self-medication Behavior Research Articles

Self-Medication of Medical Students at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Responsible self-medication (SM) can save time, money, reduce the number of visits to the doctor, and alleviate pressure on health services. However, while there are clear benefits, SM also carries significant risks, such as increased drug side effects, inappropriate use of prescription drugs, drug interactions, misdiagnosis, drug dependence, masking of medical conditions, and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the practices of medical students at a public university in Türkiye towards SM, as well as to determine the factors influencing such practices. The population of this cross-sectional study included first-, fourth-, and sixth-year medical students. As the goal was to reach the entire population (375 students), no sample selection was made. A total of 332 students (88.5%) participated in the study.The relevant literature was used for the basis of the questionnaire used in the study. In the statistical evaluation, percentages, means, standard deviations, medians, minimum, and maximum values were used to present the descriptive data, while factors influencing SM were analyzed using the chi-square test and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall rate of SM among the participants was found to be 96.1%. No statistically significant difference was observed in SM rates based on the year of study (p>0.05). The rate of students using antibiotics without a prescription was 19.3%. Additionally, 82.5% of the students reported reading the package insert before using a drug. The most common symptoms leading to SM were headaches (83.1%) and the common cold (63.6%). The most frequently self-administered medications were analgesics (86.1%), common cold medicines (54.8%), and vitamins (34.0%). Furthermore, 79.3% of the participants indicated that they self-medicate because they perceive their condition as a simple illness, 64.6% because they had experienced a similar illness before, and 28.2% because they believed they had sufficient knowledge of medications.In multivariate regression analysis, keeping medicines at home/in the dormitory for later use and not having a chronic disease were found to be effective factors in students' practice of SM. It is important to plan educational interventions to promote the development of responsible SM behaviors. Starting these educational programs in the first year of medical school is thought to contribute significantly to the fostering of responsible SM practices.

Self-medication among general population in the European Union: prevalence and associated factors

Self-medication (SM) forms an important part of public health strategy. Nonetheless, little research has been performed to understand the current state of self-medication in the European Union (EU). Utilizing data from the third wave of the European Health Interview Surveys, this study finds an estimated SM prevalence of 34.3% in the EU (95%CI = 34.1-34.5%; n = 255,758). SM prevalence, as well as SM prevalence inequality between men and women, varies substantially between EU member countries. Via multivariable analysis, we also identify a number of variables associated with SM, most notably the substantial impact of health systems on SM behavior (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.00; 95% Confidence Interval [95%CI] = 3.81–4.21). Several demographics are also associated with greater SM prevalence, including those aged 25–44 (versus ages 75+: AOR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.12–1.31), women (AOR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.68–1.81), immigrants born in other EU states (AOR = 1.16; 95%CI = 1.04–1.30), those with higher education (AOR = 1.83; 95%CI = 1.60–2.09), and urban dwellers (AOR = 1.14; 95%CI = 1.04–1.30). Additionally, long-standing health problems (AOR = 1.39; 95%CI = 1.33–1.45), visits to doctors (both general practitioners and specialists) (AOR = 1.21, 95%CIs = 1.15–1.26, 1.17–1.26), and unmet needs for health care due to waiting lists (AOR = 1.38; 95%CI = 1.23–1.55) or inability to afford medical examinations/treatment (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.12–1.42) serve as conditioners for SM. We also find that smoking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01–1.10), vaping (AOR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.06–1.32), drinking alcohol (AOR = 1.23; 95%CI = 1.19–1.28), and higher levels of physical activity (AOR = 1.27; 95%CI = 1.22–1.32) are factors associated with SM. Analysis of these variables reveals that though women self-medicate more than men, the patterns that govern their consumption are similar.

The Impact of Antibiotic Awareness on Usage Among University Students in Kabul, Afghanistan

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by inappropriate self-medication practices. This study explores the level of awareness and practices concerning antibiotic use among university students in Afghanistan. The research aimed to evaluate university students' knowledge of antibiotic resistance, their self-medication behaviors, and overall understanding of appropriate antibiotic use. The goal was to identify gaps in knowledge and inform strategies for educational interventions. An online survey was administered via Google Forms to 150 students from various provinces in Afghanistan. Participants were selected to represent a diverse geographical distribution, including Kabul (35.71%) and seven other provinces. The survey assessed participants' knowledge about antibiotics, awareness of resistance risks, and self-medication practices. The survey results indicated a moderate level of awareness about antibiotic resistance among students. Despite this, many students reported engaging in self-medication. Knowledge deficiencies were observed regarding the proper use of antibiotics and the implications of resistance. The study found significant variability in understanding, with some students showing high confidence while others lacked basic knowledge. The study underscores the need for targeted educational programs to improve awareness and correct misconceptions about antibiotics among university students. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for promoting responsible antibiotic use and combating resistance. Future research should evaluate the impact of such educational interventions on altering self-medication behaviors and enhancing antibiotic stewardship.

Patterns of self-medication and intention to seek pharmacist guidance among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Macao: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionSelf-medication was remarkably popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. In older populations, the risk of self-medication is higher. Pharmacists are well positioned to provide public health education and disease prevention. This study aims to explore the self-medication patterns and intention to seek pharmacist guidance among older adults in Macao.MethodsA face-to-face cross-sectional survey was subsequently performed in March-April 2023 among older adults in Macao. The questionnaire was designed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of self-medication behavior and multiple linear regression analysis to determine whether the TPB construct was the predictor of older adults’ intention to seek guidance from pharmacists.ResultsA total of 412 participants completed the questionnaire. The self-medication rate among older adults in Macao was 64.2%. The most commonly used types of medications were over-the-counter and traditional Chinese medicine, mainly from government anti-pandemic packages. The majority of individuals engaged in self-medication to treat COVID-19 symptoms or prevent COVID-19 infection. The prevalent reasons for self-medication were the perceived non-seriousness of the illness. 85 years old or older and university degree were significantly associated with self-medication behavior. Older adults had moderate intention to seek pharmacist guidance on medication use. The average scores (standard deviation) were 3.43 (1.10) for Attitude, 2.69 (0.99) for Subjective Norm, 3.56 (1.04) for Perceived Behavioral Control, and 3.07 (1.43) for Intention. Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioral Control were all strong predictors of intention, which explained 53% of the variance in intention. In demographic factors, age was identified as a significant predictor of intentions.ConclusionsSelf-medication was widely practiced in Macao during the COVID-19 pandemic. To better control the risks associated with self-medication, the role of pharmacists is paramount. Enhancing the recognition and trust of pharmacists within society, modifying pharmacy management models, and strengthening pharmacists’ self-perception of their profession are all pivotal directions areas to further enhance their role.

Knowledge and Perceptions of Self-Medication Among Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Students: A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study.

Self-medication (SM) is a common practice worldwide, and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern. Self-medication has various forms, including taking medications without a physician's prescription, using a previous prescription for a similar condition, or using drugs obtainable at home without getting a physician's advice. The youth are highly influenced by the media and the internet, which promote SM behavior. To determine the knowledge and perceptions of SM in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students in all professional years, including interns in Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS) and Hospital, Jammu. The present study was conducted at ASCOMS Hospital, Jammu. A total of 200 students of MBBS were included in the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and awareness level. The collected data were recorded in a Microsoft Excel sheet (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) and analyzed with the help of IBM SPSS Statistics software for Windows, version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The present study reveals that 60% of the subjects were males and 65% of the students practiced SM, which indicates that SM is highly prevalent amongst MBBS students. It was observed that minor illness and quick relief were the major reasons for SM. Further, headache, cold/cough, and fever were the major indications for SM, whereas antipyretics and analgesics were the most commonly used drugs for SM. Conclusion: The present study concluded that there was a high prevalence of SM practice among medical students, especially among females. However, the knowledge and perceptions of SM were not insufficient.

Unused, leftover and expired medicine and disposal practices among health sciences faculty students in Burdur, Turkey.

To evaluate the opinions of university-level Health Sciences students about unused, leftover and expired medicine, as well as their disposal practices, and to classify the medicines. The cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 31, 2023, at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Turkey, and comprised those studying at the Nursing, Nutrition Dietetics and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation departments. Data was collected using Google Forms. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification was used for classifying pharmaceutical active ingredients. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. Of the 373 participants, 272(73%) were females and 101(27%) were males. The overall mean age was 20.8±2.8 years. There were 348(93.3%) subejcts who reported having a total of 845 boxes of leftover and unused medicines in their homes (2.3±1.9 per capita), while 25(6.7%) participants had none. The medicines were stored in the kitchen 261(61.5%) as the storage area, and in the refrigerator 181(40.2%) as the storage unit. The expired medicine was disposed of in the garbage in 328(86.1%) cases. Self-medication was prevalent in 325(87.1%) cases. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification analysis showed that paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol+caffeine and metamizole sodium was the most common group of leftover and unused medicines 283(81.3%). High prevalence of unused and leftover medicine, disposal of medicine in household garbage, and selfmedication behaviour indicated a serious public health and environmental problem.

The Risk of Severe Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia Symptoms in Arab Women: An Implication of Self-Medication with Analgesics? A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Objectives: The investigation of the psychosomatic symptoms in women residing in developing countries is still emerging. To be precise, the prevalence and correlates of severe fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia are understudied in Arab women, as these symptoms could relate to improper self-medication. This study mainly investigated the association between self-medication with analgesics and fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms among a community-based cohort of females in Jordan. Materials and Methods: We used a web-based cross-sectional study design. Fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia were assessed using validated scales. The used over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers were recorded. Results: Data were analyzed from 741 women, and fibromyalgia was screened in 16.4%, depression in 37.4%, anxiety in 27.8%, and insomnia in 38.3%. Fibromyalgia was associated with "married" (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.017-2.305), "using OTC acetaminophen" (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.15-2.69), "using herbal remedies" (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.33-3.07), and "using antiseizure medications" (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.38-4.28). Severe depression was significantly associated with "age" (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96-0.99), "high school education" (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.21-2.98), "smoking" (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15-2.56), "OTC acetaminophen" (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.02-1.92), "OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.15-2.65), and "antiseizures" (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.30-3.70). Severe anxiety was significantly associated with "smoking" (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.40-3.12), "OTC acetaminophen" (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.06-2.06), and "antiseizure medications" (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.22-3.41). Severe insomnia was significantly associated with "age" (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96-0.99), "high school education" (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.01-2.47), "smoking" (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.01-2.25), "OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs" (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.13-2.64), "antiseizure medications" (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.09-3.11), and "No analgesics" (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.32-0.71). Conclusions: Self-medication with analgesics is associated with a high burden of psychosomatic symptoms in Arab women, and awareness campaigns are required to guide self-medication behavior.

Pharmacological and behavioral investigation of putative self-medicative plants in Budongo chimpanzee diets.

Wild chimpanzees consume a variety of plants to meet their dietary needs and maintain wellbeing. While some plants have obvious value, others are nutritionally poor and/or contain bioactive toxins which make ingestion costly. In some cases, these nutrient-poor resources are speculated to be medicinal, thought to help individuals combat illness. In this study, we observed two habituated chimpanzee communities living in the Budongo Forest, Uganda, and collected 17 botanical samples associated with putative self-medication behaviors (e.g., bark feeding, dead wood eating, and pith-stripping) or events (e.g., when consumer had elevated parasite load, abnormal urinalysis, or injury). In total, we selected plant parts from 13 species (nine trees and four herbaceous plants). Three extracts of different polarities were produced from each sample using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol/water (9/1, v/v) and introduced to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in vitro models. Extracts were evaluated for growth inhibition against a panel of multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of bacteria, including ESKAPE strains and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition activity. Pharmacological results suggest that Budongo chimpanzees consume several species with potent medicinal properties. In the antibacterial library screen, 45 out of 53 extracts (88%) exhibited ≥40% inhibition at a concentration of 256 μg/mL. Of these active extracts, 41 (91%) showed activity at ≤256μg/mL in subsequent dose-response antibacterial experiments. The strongest antibacterial activity was achieved by the n-hexane extract of Alstonia boonei dead wood against Staphylococcus aureus (IC50: 16 μg/mL; MIC: 32 μg/mL) and Enterococcus faecium (IC50: 16 μg/mL; MIC: >256 μg/mL) and by the methanol-water extract of Khaya anthotheca bark and resin against E. faecium (IC50: 16 μg/mL; MIC: 32 μg/mL) and pathogenic Escherichia coli (IC50: 16 μg/mL; MIC: 256 μg/mL). We observed ingestion of both these species by highly parasitized individuals. K. anthotheca bark and resin were also targeted by individuals with indicators of infection and injuries. All plant species negatively affected growth of E. coli. In the anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibition library screen, 17 out of 51 tested extracts (33%) showed ≥50% COX-2 inhibition at a concentration of 5 μg/mL. Several extracts also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in COX-2 dose-response experiments. The K. anthotheca bark and resin methanol-water extract showed the most potent effects (IC50: 0.55 μg/mL), followed by the fern Christella parasitica methanol-water extract (IC50: 0.81 μg/mL). This fern species was consumed by an injured individual, a feeding behavior documented only once before in this population. These results, integrated with associated observations from eight months of behavioral data, provide further evidence for the presence of self-medicative resources in wild chimpanzee diets. This study addresses the challenge of distinguishing preventative medicinal food consumption from therapeutic self-medication by integrating pharmacological, observational, and health monitoring data-an essential interdisciplinary approach for advancing the field of zoopharmacognosy.

‘DAGUSIBU' (GET, USE, SAVE, AND DISPOSE) DRUG MANAGEMENT COUNCELLING IN PENGALANGAN VILLAGE, MENGANTI DISTRICT, GRESIK REGENCY

Self-medication behaviors of the society kept increasing as years passed, including for the residents of Desa Pengalangan, Kecamatan Menganti, Kabupaten Gresik. Over-the-counter medicines, the ones that can be obtained without a prescription, have been a prior solution to relieve the symptoms of various diseases. Unfortunately, the consumption of these medicines is not accompanied by proficient knowledge of how to manage medicines properly. Consequently, the health of the community and environment are negatively affected. Therefore, it is considered crucial to educate society as a form of approach made for promoting public health and preventing the irrational usage of medicines. Socialization of the ‘DAGUSIBU' (dapatkan, gunakan, simpan, dan buang) [eng: get, use, store, and dispose] of medicines through a session of interactive mini-lecture and simulation, has been chosen to be the proper modality to deliver such information about managing medicines. About 21 health cadres of Desa Pengalangan are involved in this program, fulfilling the pretests and post-tests as instruments to determine the level of knowledge of the society about medicines. Based on the result of this program, it is noted that an average of 80.9% participants' level of knowledge increases after socialization. Highest increase in the level of knowledge is reported in the topics ‘Golongan obat' [eng: drug's classes] (85,7%) and ‘DAGUSIBU obat' (85,7%), while the topic ‘Penggunaan antibiotik' [eng: antibiotic usage] (71,4%) becomes the topic with the least increase in the level of knowledge. Though these findings seem in line with the previous studies, innovations are required to optimize the increase of society's level of knowledge in managing medicines.

Status of self-medication and the relevant factors regarding drug efficacy and safety as important considerations among adolescents aged 12–18 in China: a cross-sectional study

The objective of this study was to investigate self-medication behavior among Chinese adolescents aged 12–18 years and explore the factors associated with whether adolescents prioritize drug efficacy or safety when engaging in self-medication behavior. In 2021, a questionnaire investigation was conducted in the Chinese mainland using a multi-stage sampling approach. After a statistical description, logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with considering drug efficacy and safety. The self-medication rate among Chinese adolescents aged 12–18 years was 96.61%. Of these, 65.84% considered drug safety to be essential, while 58.72% prioritized drug efficacy. Regression analysis showed that individuals with better healthcare were more likely to consider drug efficacy an important factor. Additionally, those with a healthier family lifestyle were more likely to prioritize efficacy. When individuals engage in self-medication, those residing in urban areas and possessing advanced preventive health literacy and ample family health resources tend to prioritize drug safety to a greater extent. Conversely, those with higher monthly household incomes and only children exhibit a decreased inclination towards prioritizing safety during self-medication. Self-medication is a frequently observed practice among Chinese adolescents aged 12–18. Several factors, such as demographic and sociological characteristics, health literacy, and family health status, have been found to be associated with the extent to which adolescents prioritize medication safety and efficacy when engaging in self-medication practices. Higher levels of health literacy and better family health status were positively correlated with considering both the efficacy and safety of drugs as important factors when self-medicating.

Health literacy as mediator between perception of illness and self-medication behaviour among outpatients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: implication to primary healthcare nursing

IntroductionPerception of illness (PI) and self-medication (SM) have been thoroughly explored in the existing literature. However, there is a lack of understanding about the mediating effect of health literacy on PI and SM in a non-homogenous population like Saudi Arabia. As such, primary healthcare nurses who have constant interaction with the outpatients have difficulty addressing self-medication. This study aimed to investigate health literacy as mediator between PI and SM among outpatients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional approach and was conducted at 10 major primary healthcare (PHC) clinics serving 30 million individuals in 13 different regions of KSA. The 424 outpatients who participated in this study were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection started in November 2022 and concluded in February 2023.ResultsThe mean of the Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool, self-medication scale (SMS), and PI scores were 13.01 ± 3.32, 27.46 ± 7.01, and 45.56 ± 7.69, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the age and BRIEF scores (p = 0.039), and the level of education was significantly related to all variables, as were nationality and BRIEF scores (p = 0.001). Finally, occupation was significantly related to BRIEF and SMS scores (p = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Completing college and being non-Saudi had positively significant effects on health literacy (p < 0.01). The structural equation model (SEM) found no effect of PI on health literacy or SM behaviour (p = 0.263 and 0.84, respectively), but health literacy did have an effect on SM behaviour (p<0.001).ConclusionHealth literacy is an important factor in self-medication behavior and that PI is not directly related to health literacy or self-medication behavior, but that health literacy does influence self-medication behavior. Therefore, primary healthcare givers should promote public health literacy alongside the control of other conditions as one of the most effective ways to decrease the prevalence of self-medication and the risks associated with it.

The relationship between patient characteristics and analgesic self-medication behavior in pharmacies in Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency

Self-medication is an effort to self-medicate without a doctor's prescription. Analgesics are medications used to reduce or relieve pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between patient characteristics and analgesic self-education behavior in pharmacies in Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency. This study used an analytical observational method with a cross-sectional approach, the research instrument used a questionnaire involving 97 respondents in 3 pharmacies in Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency. The sampling technique uses the consecutive sampling method. The independent variable is the characteristic and the dependent variable is the analgesic self-medication behavior. Data analysis using univariate and bivariate analysis with non-parametric rank spearman statistical test. The results showed that the age of 26-45 years was 50.5%, women were 66%, secondary education was 61.9%, self-employed by 47.7% and 32% of moderate-income people were more self-medicated analgesics. Some patients had good behavior in self-medication analgesics by 71.1%. The conclusion of this study was that patient characteristics including age (p = 0.014), education (p = 0.000), occupation (p = 0.000) and income (p = 0.000) had a relationship with analgesic self-medication behavior in pharmacies Kesesi District, Pekalongan Regency, while unrelated patient characteristics were gender (p = 0.237).

Exploring Antibiotic Self Medication Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Study among Patients in Multiple Hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the multifaceted impact of self-medication with antibiotics, delving into its implications for public health. The potential repercussions of self-medication extend beyond individual well-being. This study investigates the broader consequences, including the wastage of crucial healthcare resources, the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse reactions, delays in seeking appropriate medical care, and the exacerbation of common illnesses. By understanding the complexities surrounding self-medication, particularly with antibiotics, we aim to contribute valuable insights to inform public health strategies, medical interventions, and educational campaigns.&#x0D; The research seeks to identify patterns, motivations, and behaviors associated with self-medication, shedding light on the factors that drive individuals to bypass professional medical advice. With a focus on antibiotics, a class of drugs critical for treating bacterial infections, the study aims to highlight the potential risks and challenges posed by unsupervised antibiotic use.&#x0D; Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted from September 13 to September 25, 2022, investigates self-medication with antibiotics among 300 patients from five hospitals. Employing a confidential 20-question questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews, the research aims to understand prevalence and patterns of self-medication. Quantitative data analysis utilizes parametric Z-tests through SPSS Software (version 21). Ethical considerations include obtaining approval, ensuring informed consent, and maintaining confidentiality. Limitations include potential selection and recall bias associated with convenience sampling and self-reported data, respectively.&#x0D; Findings: Among the 300 participants, 47% were male, and 53% were female. The majority were adults aged between 20 to 40 years, with 64% from Rawalpindi. Over 50% of participants had matriculation or higher education. Ninety-seven percent of people had used antibiotics at least once in their life, with 63% practicing self-medication. Notably, 49% self-medicated 1-5 times in the past year. The primary reasons for self-medication included convenience (47%), personal experience (34%), and previous doctor's prescriptions (32%). Only 36% completed the prescribed antibiotic course. A significant percentage (71%) never changed the dosage of antibiotics, while 22% sometimes altered the dosage. Switching antibiotics during the course occurred in 21% of cases, primarily because the initial treatment was ineffective. Additionally, 51% of participants believed they could successfully treat common infections with antibiotics. Most participants (63%) stopped taking antibiotics if they experienced side effects during the course. A majority (62%) did not complete the antibiotic course after early symptom relief. Regarding dosage, 74% of participants believed that larger antibiotic doses did not guarantee quicker action. Furthermore, 36% of participants occasionally gave prescribed antibiotics to sick family members, and 10% always did.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research significantly advances our understanding of antibiotic self-medication across theoretical, policy, and practical dimensions. The study intricately explores the prevalence and nuanced patterns characterizing patients' self-medication behaviors with antibiotics, thereby contributing to the refinement of existing theoretical frameworks in healthcare behavior. The comprehensive insights gained from this research provide a foundation for a more sophisticated understanding of the intricate interplay of factors influencing patients' decisions regarding antibiotic use. This understanding enables the formulation of targeted policies aimed at mitigating the potential risks associated with unsupervised antibiotic use, contributing to broader public health initiatives combating antibiotic resistance and ensuring the well-being of communities.

Investigating Performance of Self-Medication in Multan During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines the frequency and determining factors that impact using self-medication among academic professionals in Multan during the COVID-19 epidemic. Self-medication, which refers to the use of over-the-counter medications without the supervision of a medical expert, has gained significant attention during the pandemic due to limited access to healthcare facilities and heightened health anxieties. Employing a case study methodology, data was gathered from academic workers in Multan via questionnaires and interviews to investigate the extent of self-medication and ascertain the variables that contribute to it. The findings provide insight into the prevalence of self-administered treatment practices, frequently utilized drugs, motivations for self-medication, and influential sources of information guiding these choices. Potential predictors of self-medication behavior include factors such as the perceived intensity of symptoms, accessibility of pharmaceuticals, past experiences, and socioeconomic position. The implications of these findings for public health policies, healthcare delivery systems, and health education initiatives are examined, focusing on the significance of tackling the underlying reasons behind self-medication to guarantee secure and efficient healthcare practices during health crises such as the COVID-19 epidemic.

Self-Medication Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among the Population of Jamshoro City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Self-medication is a globally prevalent practice, with varying degrees of awareness and regulation across different regions. In developing countries like Pakistan, the practice poses significant public health challenges, including the risk of medication misuse and antibiotic resistance. Jamshoro, a city with a diverse demographic and educational landscape, provides a unique setting to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of self-medication among its residents. Objective: This study aimed to assess the extent of self-medication practices among the adult population in Jamshoro, focusing on their knowledge, attitudes, and the types of medications commonly used. It sought to identify potential risks associated with self-medication and propose recommendations for safer practices. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to April 2023, involving 400 participants selected through non-probability convenience sampling. The survey encompassed questions related to demographic information, knowledge about self-medication, attitudes towards its practice, and the frequency and types of medications used. Data were collected using both online questionnaires distributed via Google Forms and face-to-face interviews, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of self-medication behaviors. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), with the study adhering to the Helsinki Declaration's ethical standards. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25, utilizing descriptive statistics to summarize findings. Results: The majority of respondents were male (55.5%) and undergraduates (64.5%), with students representing 66% of the sample. A significant portion (87.3%) reported a lack of knowledge regarding self-medication, and 90.3% had never taken medication without a physician’s prescription. About 64% were aware of the difference between over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, and 82.5% recognized the risk of antibiotic resistance. Self-medication practices were infrequent among participants, with 32.5% engaging in it only occasionally. The study also found a predominant preference for private healthcare facilities (68.5%) over public ones. Conclusion: The findings indicate a substantial knowledge gap regarding self-medication among the population of Jamshoro, despite a general tendency to consult healthcare professionals for medical issues. There is a critical need for public health initiatives to educate the community on safe medication practices, the risks of antibiotic resistance, and the importance of adhering to prescribed treatments.

Applying collocation and APRIORI analyses to chimpanzee diets: Methods for investigating nonrandom food combinations in primate self-medication.

Identifying novel medicinal resources in chimpanzee diets has historically presented challenges, requiring extensive behavioral data collection and health monitoring, accompanied by expensive pharmacological analyses. When putative therapeutic self-medicative behaviors are observed, these events are often considered isolated occurrences, with little attention paid to other resources ingested in combination. For chimpanzees, medicinal resource combinations could play an important role in maintaining well-being by tackling different symptoms of an illness, chemically strengthening efficacy of a treatment, or providing prophylactic compounds that prevent future ailments. We call this concept the self-medicative resource combination hypothesis. However, a dearth of methodological approaches for holistically investigating primate feeding ecology has limited our ability to identify nonrandom resource combinations and explore potential synergistic relationships between medicinal resource candidates. Here we present two analytical tools that test such a hypothesis and demonstrate these approaches on feeding data from the Sonso chimpanzee community in Budongo Forest, Uganda. Using 4 months of data, we establish that both collocation and APRIORI analyses are effective exploratory tools for identifying binary combinations, and that APRIORI is effective for multi-item rule associations. We then compare outputs from both methods, finding up to 60% agreement, and propose APRIORI as more effective for studies requiring control over confidence intervals and those investigating nonrandom associations between more than two resources. These analytical tools, which can be extrapolated across the animal kingdom, can provide a cost-effective and efficient method for targeting resources for further pharmacological investigation, potentially aiding in the discovery of novel medicines.

Self-medication practice among the general public in Jordan: a cross-sectional study.

The phenomenon of self-medication is a noteworthy public health concern that is increasingly prevalent on a global level, particularly in developing nations. This study aims to explore the prevalence of self-medication of over-the-counter (OTC) medications among the general public in Jordan. This cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan between November and December 2022. An online questionnaire link was distributed to the study participants through social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram). The questionnaire tool for this study was adapted from a previously developed questionnaire by Tesfamariam et al. The questionnaire tool comprised four sections that examined participants' demographic characteristics, knowledge of OTC self-medication, attitudes toward OTC self-medication, and associated practices. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of OTC self-medication practice. A total of 1,218 individuals participated in this study. More than half of the study participants (56.9%) confirmed that they were currently using or had in the past year used medication(s) not prescribed by a healthcare specialist. Participants' agreement level on statements that reflected a positive attitude toward self-medication practice ranged between 13.1 and 33.0%. The statement most commonly agreed with was that 'OTC medications are safe but I would seek a physician's advice before using them' (57.7%). Individuals aged 36-40 years and 51 years and over, those who were married or divorced, those who were employed, and those who had chronic diseases were more likely to practice self-medication compared to others (p < 0.05). The current study findings suggest a significant lack of awareness among the general population in Jordan regarding the expected efficacy of OTC medications. A restricted level of agreement was observed among the participants concerning the behavior of self-medication.

Development and psychometric properties of a self-medication behavior inventory.

Self-medication is a prevalent behavior with significant health implications. Understanding its psychosocial determinants can inform preventative strategies and interventions. We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Self-Medication Behavior Inventory (SMBI-9) in a binational study with 779 Colombian and Mexican participants. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations with related inventories, and confirmatory factor analysis tested the proposed four-factor model. The SMBI-9 demonstrated high model fit (CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.991) and invariance across countries. The factors-Social Influence, Attitude toward Medicine, Avoidance, and Prevention-varied significantly with knowledge of medicine, schooling, health insurance status and gender, underscoring the role of social and personal beliefs in self-medication practices. SMBI-9 emerged as a reliable tool for capturing the multifaceted nature of self-medication behaviors. Findings highlight the influence of social norms and personal attitudes, suggesting targeted approaches for behavioral interventions.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of plants consumed by western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Gabon.

Zoopharmacognosy is the study of the self-medication behaviors of non-human animals that use plant, animal or soil items as remedies. Recent studies have shown that some of the plants employed by animals may also be used for the same therapeutic purposes in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Ceiba pentandra, Myrianthus arboreus, Ficus subspecies (ssp.) and Milicia excelsa bark crude extracts (BCE), plants consumed by western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park (MDNP) and used in traditional medicine, and then to characterize their phytochemical compounds. DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl), phosphomolybdenum complex and β-carotene bleaching methods were used to assess antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the diffusion method, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were assessed using the microdilution method. The highest level of total phenolics was found in Myrianthus arboreus aqueous extract [385.83 ± 3.99 mg [gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g]. Total flavonoid (134.46 ± 3.39) mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g of extract] were highest in Milicia excelsa, tannin [(272.44 ± 3.39) mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/100 g of extract] in Myrianthus arboreus and proanthocyanidin [(404.33 ± 3.39) mg apple procyanidins equivalent (APE)/100 g of extract] in Ceiba pentandra. Ficus ssp. (IC50 1.34 ±3.36 μg/mL; AAI 18.57 ± 0.203) ethanolic BCE and Milicia excelsa (IC50 2.07 ± 3.37 μg/mL; AAI 12.03 ± 0.711) showed the strongest antioxidant activity. Myrianthus arboreus ethanolic BCE (73.25 ± 5.29) and Milicia excelsa aqueous BCE (38.67 ± 0.27) showed the strongest percentage of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Ceiba pentandra ethanolic BCE (152.06 ± 19.11 mg AAE/g) and Ficus ssp aqueous BCE (124.33 ± 39.05 mg AAE/g) showed strongest relative antioxidant activity (RAA). The plant BCE showed antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli (DECs) isolates, with MICs varying from 1.56 to 50 mg/mL and inhibition diameters ranging from 7.34 ± 0.57 to 13.67 ± 0.57mm. Several families of compounds were found, including total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins were found in the plant BCEs. The plant BCEs showed antioxidant activities with free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities against 10 MDR E. coli (DECs) isolates, and could be a promising novel source for new drug discovery.

Behaviour of Community Pharmacy Service Provider towards Self Medication Services: Study in Two Cities in West Java

Self-medication behavior is currently increasing in Indonesia. Community pharmacy service provider have an important role as the main source of information and recommendations for the community in self-medication. To be able to provide good self-medication services, good knowledge, attitudes, and practices are needed from pharmacists. This study was aimed to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacists in providing self-medication services. The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design in pharmacies in Bandung City and Cianjur Regency in the period March-April 2021. A valid and reliable questionnaire was administered to 141 respondents who worked in pharmacies that were selected randomly, to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to self-medication. The inclusion criteria were community pharmacy service provider who worked permanently and were willing to fill out questionnaires. Exclusion criteria were intern worker and incomplete questionnaires. Results showed that community pharmacy service provider in Bandung City and Cianjur Regency had an average knowledge of 65.04% (moderate), attitudes 78.40% (good), and practice 85.59% (very positive) towards self-medication services. In self-medication behavior, knowledge of community pharmacy service provider was influenced by type of position (p0.05), self-medication attitude was influenced by type of pharmacies (p0.05), and self-medication service practice was influenced by location (p0.05). This study concludes that community pharmacy service provider in Bandung City and Cianjur Regency have a moderate knowledge, and good attitudes and very positive practices in self-medication services.