Prevalence of self-medication practices in urban area of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu

Authors

  • A. Abdul Azeez Thoufiq Department of Community Medicine, Bharath University, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Aljin Vijayan Department of Community Medicine, Bharath University, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20200972

Keywords:

Prevalence, Self-diagnosed, Self-medication, Urban

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. Self-medication is one element of self-care. The World Self-medication Industry defines self-medication as the treatment of common health problems with medicines especially designed, labelled and approved for use without medical supervision. It is also defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms. This study was carried out to investigate the problem and factors responsible for self medication.

Methods: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Anakaputhur, an urban field practice area of Sree Balaji Medical College. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used as a study tool to interview the study participants, conducted by face to face interview.

Results: There is an association present between age groups and self-medication were the p value was 0.035. There is an association present between occupation and subjects on self-medication p=0.001. An association present between education and self-medication, per capita income and self-medication and marital status and self-medication with a p=0.000. No statistically significant association was found between other factors like tobacco use and alcohol use with self-medication.

Conclusions: Self-medication is an important health issues in India. Health education of the public and regulation of pharmacies may help in limiting the self-medication practices.

Author Biography

A. Abdul Azeez Thoufiq, Department of Community Medicine, Bharath University, Chrompet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Post Graduate

Department of Community Medicine

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Published

2020-02-27

How to Cite

Thoufiq, A. A. A., & Vijayan, A. (2020). Prevalence of self-medication practices in urban area of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(3), 1089–1094. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20200972

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Section

Original Research Articles