Prevalence of self-medication practices among the residents of urban slums located near govt. medical college, Jabalpur

Authors

  • Shubham Jain Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, M.P.
  • Aditya Thakur Department of Community Medicine, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, M.P.
  • Kunal Peepre Department of Community Medicine, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, M.P.
  • Shivika Kaushal Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, M.P.
  • Pradeep Kasar Department of Community Medicine, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, M.P.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20180274

Keywords:

Slums, Self-medication, Practice, Reason

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is defined as medication taken on the patient’s own initiative or on the advice of pharmacist or any other lay person. Self-medication can be described as a double edged sword for its users, because it has both beneficial and harmful effects. According to recent community based study in 2016 prevalence of self-medication in developing countries varies from 12% to as high as 73% in different communities. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of self-medication among the residents of urban slums located near Govt. medical college, Jabalpur and to identify the factors associated with the practice of self-medication.

Methods: It was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in 412 families residing in slum areas around the medical college for duration of 2 months [1st July to 31st august 2017]. One participant from each family was interviewed. Data on socio demographic details (age, gender, education, occupation, and income), practice of self-medication, and reasons for use of self-medication were collected.

Results: Among the total 412 participants, 176 (42.7%) practiced self-medication out of which 43.6% were Females. Highest prevalence of 58.1% amongst 18-40 years of age group, 69.3% was literates. Major reason for self-medication being disease is simple (56.5%). Majority took self-medication occasionally (72.5%) and most common source were Pharmacists (87.42%) through OTC (81.14%). Most widely used drugs were Analgesics (66.28%) and main indications were headache, body ache and other pains (25.2%). Associations were compared with chi-square test Socio economic status of participants and Vicinity distance from hospital revealed statistically significant result. Socio-economically upper class (p꞊0.018) and participants living more than 500 m away from hospital (p=0.010) tends to take more self medication.

Conclusions: There was a heterogeneous spread in the practices. Easy availability of over the counter (OTC) drugs is a major factor responsible for irrational drug use. Community awareness programme, educational interventions should be conducted about side effects of self-medication. 

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Published

2018-01-24

How to Cite

Jain, S., Thakur, A., Peepre, K., Kaushal, S., & Kasar, P. (2018). Prevalence of self-medication practices among the residents of urban slums located near govt. medical college, Jabalpur. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 5(2), 811–817. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20180274

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Original Research Articles