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Self-medication prevalence and associated factors among adult population in Northern India: A community-based cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Khushboo Juneja Department of Community Medicine, Manipal TATA Medical College, Jamshedpur, Karnataka, India
  • Ambren Chauhan Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Tuhina Shree Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Alwar, Rajasthan, India
  • Priyanka Roy Department of Labor, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata, India
  • Mainak Bardhan Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
  • Absar Ahmad Ranchi Veterinary College, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, India
  • Amit Pawaiya Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Ayush Anand B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal

Keywords:

Adults, prevalence, self-medication, India

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine self-medication prevalence and its associated factors. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural catchment areas of Uttar Pradesh, India, among 440 adults using a pretested, semistructured questionnaire. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to determine the association of self-medication prevalence with various independent variables. The associations were reported as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of medication use was 66.4%. The majority of participants (45%) took medicine for fever, cough (40.1%), and cold (31.8%). Allopathy (83.2%) was the most common medicine system used for self-medication. More than half reported taking medicine such as paracetamol (52%), followed by cough syrup (21%) and antihistaminic (17%). Convenience (46%) and lack of time (35.3%) were commonly cited reasons for self-medication. Also, 64.4% of the respondents practiced self-medication on the pharmacist’s recommendation. Urban participants (adjusted odds ratio: 9.85, 95% confidence interval: 5.32–18.23), females (adjusted odds ratio: 2.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.18–4.57), skilled workers (adjusted odds ratio: 5.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.80–17.5), and those who completed primary school (adjusted odds ratio: 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–5.25) were more likely to self-medicate than rural, male, unemployed, and illiterate participants, respectively. Also, participants whose income was 30,000 Indian rupees (adjusted odds ratio: 3.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.00–10.21) were more likely to self-medicate than those whose income was less than 4000. Conclusions: A high prevalence of self-medication was found, particularly in urban areas. Convenience and lack of time were commonly cited reasons for self-medication. Allopathy was the most widely used medicine system for self-medication. Antipyretics, cough syrups, and antiallergics were most commonly self-medicated. Gender, education, and income were associated with self-medication. The study highlighted the increased usage among females which could be further explored and role of pharmacists’ recommendation as a major driver for self-medication. Keywords: Adults, prevalence, self-medication, India

Author Biographies

Khushboo Juneja, Department of Community Medicine, Manipal TATA Medical College, Jamshedpur, Karnataka, India

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

Mainak Bardhan, Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India

Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables, FL, USA

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