Evaluation Of Self-Medication Among Urban Population of Paldi Area, Ahmedabad

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the extent of self- medication practice among general community of Paldi area. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, anonymous, questionnaire- based survey that included 156 community members. A pre-vali- dated questionnaire with several open-ended and closed-ended questions was administered. Data were coded, entered, and ana- lyzed and the results expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Out of the 156 respondents, 52 (33.4%) were males and 104 (66.6%) were females; the mean age of respondents was 35.8 years. Ninety five percent of respondents reported practicing self-medi- cation. About one third of respondents had good knowledge about medication but did not posses high self-care orientation. Most of self medication was involved with headache and fever, cough/ cold and gastrointestinal infection. Conclusion: This study shows that the majority of respondents had some knowledge about appropriate self-medication; the practice of self-medication was common, but often inappropriate.

Keywords

• Self-medication
• Drug
• EVALUATION