Main Article Content
Abstract
The study aims at identifying self-medication pattern among rural population and various factors influencing it like occupation, habits, literacy rate, extent of awareness, source for drug information etc.
Method
A patient counseling and health screening campaign was held in a rural village called Utukur by P.Rami Reddy Memorial College of pharmacy located at kadapa town in Andhra Pradesh, India. A total number of 124 patients were assessed to identify the self-medication pattern and after the collection of data, the patients were counseled regarding the rational use of self-medication.
Results
Out of 124 rural patients (68 male and 56 female), majority of them (40) who take self-medication are from age group of 20-39 years. High illiteracy rate (72%), being farmers and daily wage workers (79%), high consultation fee (26%), obtaining quick relief (15%), lack of awareness about drug-drug, drug-alcohol, drug-smoking interactions (96%), easy availability from nearby pharmacy stores (88%), suffering from one or another chronic illness (58%) etc were found to be important factors influencing self-medication habit among them. Other parameters like symptoms for which they take self-medication, since how many years they are on self-medication, did they experienced any adverse consequences, their personal habits were also assessed.
Conclusion
There is an immediate necessity to provide awareness about the use of medicines in more number of villages. The staff and students of pharmacy colleges can have a greater impact upon self-medicating behavior of illiterates in rural areas by conducting awareness and patient counseling campaigns. As pharmacy stores are major source to purchase OTC medications, community pharmacist has got a major role to play in assisting and providing information to the patients about rational use of medicines
Keywords
Article Details
References
- [1] Sonam Jain et al. Concept of Self-medication: A review, International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Archives 2011; 2(3) : 831-836
- [2] Dayani G et al. Responsible Self-medication: review of the process of pharmaceutical attendance, Brazilian J Pharm Sci 2009; 45(4): 625-633
- [3] Rohit K Verma et al. Evaluation of self-medication among professional students in North India: proper statutory drug control must be implemented, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and clinical Research, vol.3 issue 1, Jan-Mar 2010, Pg.no: 60-64
- [4] Afolabi AO. Factors influencing the pattern of self-medication in an adult Nigerian population, Annals of African Medicine 2008; 7 (3) : 120-127
- [5] Pawar et al. how safe : Ask to your pharmacist, The Pharma review 2009; 7 (47) : 150-152
- [6] Hussain A,Khanum A.Self-medication among university students of Islamabad, Pakistan-a preliminary study, southern Med Review 2008; 1(1) : 14-16
- [7] Pgane JA et al. Self-medication and health insurance coverage in Mexico. Health Policy 2007; 75: 170-177
- [8] AESGP(2004). The economic and Public health value of self-medication. Brussels, Belgium. Available from: http:// www.aesgp.be/researchproject/finalreport.pdf.
- [9] Self –medication: Bennett PN, Brown MJ. Clinical pharmacology, 9th ed.Churchill Livingstone; 2003.p.25-26
- [10] Kamat VR et al. Self-medication and pharmaceutical marketing in Bombay India 1948, socsci Med 1998; 47(6) : 779-794
- [11] World Health Organization: The role of pharmacist in self-care and self-medication. Report of the 4th WHO consultative group on the role of the pharmacist.
References
[1] Sonam Jain et al. Concept of Self-medication: A review, International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Archives 2011; 2(3) : 831-836
[2] Dayani G et al. Responsible Self-medication: review of the process of pharmaceutical attendance, Brazilian J Pharm Sci 2009; 45(4): 625-633
[3] Rohit K Verma et al. Evaluation of self-medication among professional students in North India: proper statutory drug control must be implemented, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and clinical Research, vol.3 issue 1, Jan-Mar 2010, Pg.no: 60-64
[4] Afolabi AO. Factors influencing the pattern of self-medication in an adult Nigerian population, Annals of African Medicine 2008; 7 (3) : 120-127
[5] Pawar et al. how safe : Ask to your pharmacist, The Pharma review 2009; 7 (47) : 150-152
[6] Hussain A,Khanum A.Self-medication among university students of Islamabad, Pakistan-a preliminary study, southern Med Review 2008; 1(1) : 14-16
[7] Pgane JA et al. Self-medication and health insurance coverage in Mexico. Health Policy 2007; 75: 170-177
[8] AESGP(2004). The economic and Public health value of self-medication. Brussels, Belgium. Available from: http:// www.aesgp.be/researchproject/finalreport.pdf.
[9] Self –medication: Bennett PN, Brown MJ. Clinical pharmacology, 9th ed.Churchill Livingstone; 2003.p.25-26
[10] Kamat VR et al. Self-medication and pharmaceutical marketing in Bombay India 1948, socsci Med 1998; 47(6) : 779-794
[11] World Health Organization: The role of pharmacist in self-care and self-medication. Report of the 4th WHO consultative group on the role of the pharmacist.