Table 3 Practices of the study population related to Self-Medication
Parameter | Total respondents | ||
|---|---|---|---|
n | % | ||
Practicing of Self-Medication | Yes | 546 | 78.0 |
No | 154 | 22.0 | |
Frequency of Self-Medication | Once a week | 16 | 2.3 |
Every 2–3 weeks | 48 | 6.9 | |
Once a month | 88 | 12.6 | |
Every two three months | 218 | 31.1 | |
More than 5 times per year | 330 | 47.1 | |
Number of medicines simultaneously used | 1 | 370 | 52.9 |
2 | 198 | 28.3 | |
Multiple | 132 | 18.9 | |
How often do you change the dosage? | Always | 108 | 15.4 |
Occasionally | 443 | 63.3 | |
Never | 149 | 21.3 | |
Reasons for changing the dosage | Improving conditions | 148 | 21.1 |
Worsening conditions | 167 | 23.9 | |
To reduce adverse conditions | 128 | 18.3 | |
Felt insufficient to cure the cause | 257 | 36.7 | |
Symptoms for Self Medication | Cough | 397 | 56.7 |
Stomachache | 297 | 42.4 | |
Fever | 429 | 61.3 | |
Skin wounds/symptoms | 157 | 22.4 | |
Allergies | 97 | 13.9 | |
Eye symptoms | 4 | 0.6 | |
Ear symptoms | 14 | 2.0 | |
Diarrhea | 58 | 8.3 | |
Back pain relief | 112 | 16.0 | |
gastritis | 325 | 46.4 | |
Other (Specify) | 122 | 17.4 | |
Common drugs (medicines) used | Antipyretics for fever: Paracetamol | 515 | 73.6 |
Pain killers: Paracetamol, Panadine, Aspirin, Brufen | 372 | 53.1 | |
Drugs for cough/runny nose: Cough syrups, piriton, cetirizine | 515 | 73.6 | |
Laxatives: Lactulose | 19 | 2.7 | |
Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Iron, Folic acid, Calcium | 283 | 40.4 | |
Antiallergic: Fexofenadine, Prednisolon, Piriton | 126 | 18.0 | |
Sleeping pills | 14 | 2.0 | |
Antibiotics: amoxicillin, cloxacillin | 272 | 38.8 | |
Pain relief balms: Diclofenac gel | 301 | 43.0 | |
Inhalers | 50 | 7.1 | |
Cetrazine | 332 | 47.4 | |
Drugs for gastritis | 290 | 41.4 | |
Anti-itching balms: Lactocalamine, hydrocortisone | 165 | 23.6 | |
Diarreha: Jeevani | 101 | 14.4 | |
Other | 4 | 0.6 | |
Determining the dose | Checking the package | 485 | 69.3 |
Consulting a pharmacist | 420 | 60.0 | |
Consulting family members/friends | 265 | 37.9 | |
From my previous experience | 369 | 52.7 | |
By guessing the dosage | 33 | 4.7 | |
Consulting a medical officer | 89 | 12.7 | |
How often do you check the instructions for drug usage? | Always | 205 | 29.3 |
Occasionally | 308 | 44.0 | |
Never | 187 | 26.7 | |
Do you keep old medicine/left overs at your home? | Yes | 483 | 69 |
No | 217 | 31 | |
Have you ever found out that you had taken the same drug with different names at the same time? | Yes | 205 | 29.3 |
No | 485 | 69.3 | |
Have you faced any side effects due to Self-Medication? | Yes | 281 | 40.1 |
No | 419 | 59.9 | |
What did you do when side effects arise due to Self-Medication? | Switch to another drug | 58 | 8.3 |
Consulted pharmacy staff | 318 | 45.4 | |
Consult family member/friend | 107 | 39.1 | |
Consulted a physician | 46 | 6.6 | |
Other (specify) | 4 | 0.6 | |