Assessment of prevalence of self-medication practices and its associated factors in Odisha, India

• Published in: International journal of health sciences pp. 3124 - 3129
• Main Authors: Behera, Desabandhu, Behera, Narayana, Panda, Bijan Kumar, Chhotaray, Saubhagya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 17.09.2022
• ISSN: 2550-6978; 2550-696X
• DOI: 10.53730/ijhs.v6nS8.12805

Background: Self‑medication is an important health issue especially in developing countries like India. The present study was conducted to assess prevalence of self-medication practices and its associated factors in Odisha, India. Materials & Methods: 160 subjects of both genders were included. Data on practice of self‑medication, and reasons for use of self‑medication were collected. Perception about harm caused due to self‑medication, whether one is likely to use the same strategy for own use/or recommend to others in future was recorded. Responses were coded in Likert scale form and the responses were strongly disagree, disagree, agree, and strongly agree. Results: Out of 160 subjects, males were 90 and females were 70. Common symptoms for self- medication was fever in 35%, headache in 15%, abdominal pain in 12%, joint pain in 8%, common cold in 6%, allergy in 5%, diarrhea in 12% and sore throat in 7%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Method of procurement for self-medication was previous prescription in 56%, remembering the name of drug in 20%, stored drugs at home in 10% and telling the symptoms to pharmacists in 14%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The most common symptoms for self- medication was fever.