Abstract

STUDY ON SELF- MEDICATION PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN HELAMBU RURAL MUNICIPALITY

Jaya Bahadur Ghale, Rajan Manandhar*, Bishnu Prasad Kandel, Sanukaji Shrestha, Yagya Raj Badu and Jagadishwor Maharjan

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Abstract

Background and Aim: Self-medication is an important health issue especially in developing countries. Inappropriate self-medication may lead to incorrect self-diagnosis, delays in seeking appropriate care, dangerous drug interactions, risk of dependence, drug abuse, incorrect dosage and choice of medication. The present study determined the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication practice. Methodology: A community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among household (sample size: 366) of Helambu Rural Municipality for 6 months. A semi-structured closed ended questionnaire was employed to gather the necessary information. Descriptive statistics mean percentage and frequency were calculated. Association between socio-demographic characteristics and selfmedication practice was calculated by using Chi-square test. Results: 76% of the study participants had practiced self-medication and were higher in 31-40 years old (77.3%). Majority of the participants were with secondary level of education (44.26%), engaged in service (29.50%) and business holders (29.20%), and belonged to nuclear family (61.70%), Hindus (56.01%) and Janajati (58.46%). Family members (42.35%), previous experience of theirs (33.61%) were the major sources of self-medication. Self-habit (42.1%), unavailability of doctors (27%) as required, difficult in travelling to visit doctors (20.5%) were the reasons for practicing self-medication. Common cold, fever, headache, tonsillitis, and gastritis (81.9%) were the main ailments and analgesic, antacid/PPI, and anti -cold medicine (81.9%) were the major drugs used for self-medication. Lastly, age, occupation and education were the factors significantly associated with self-medication practice (p

Keywords: Self-medication, Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice.