Prevalence and Drivers of Self-Medication Practices among Savar Residents in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Self-Medication Practices among Adult Population in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The practice of self-medication (SM) is common worldwide and is an important component of medical self-care. However, improper practice can be dangerous. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SM and the factors associated with it among Bangladeshi adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and June 2021 among Bangladeshi adults (aged > 19 years) using convenient sampling. A total of 1320 subjects were collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the practice of SM.

RESULTS

Overall, 41% of adults in our survey reported SMP. The most common illnesses that prompted SM were common cold/flu (66.4%), gastric problems (65%), and headache (64.4%). The most frequent reasons for SM were to get better-perceived quality of care (30.6%), perceiving SM without side effects (23.3%), and saving time with effectiveness (14.56%). Potential risk factors included 10 years (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.04-3.50) and >12 years of schooling (AOR = 5.03; 95% CI: 2.27-11.15), being a businessman (AOR = 4.64; 95% CI: 1.74-12.37), having ≤6 family members (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.40-3.24), being a member of a social group (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.10-2.12), a health status check after every six months (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.08-2.13), and current ill-health (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.06-1.87). Protective factors identified included ≤30 years of age (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17-0.93), and practice of modern (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.22-0.69) and herbal (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21-0.97) treatment modality.

CONCLUSION

More than one-third of the study participants reported practicing SM. Increasing the community's awareness of the adverse outcomes of SM and not just the average experience might sway individuals away from SM, and implementing strict jurisdiction could be a way to minimize inappropriate SM.

Assessing the Reasons and Adverse Effects of Self-Medication in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sierra Leone. A Case Study of Moriba Town Section

Background

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare resources has led to an increase in self-medication as a coping mechanism. The purpose of the study is to investigate the prevalence of self-medication, the reasons behind it, and its potential consequences during the pandemic.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Moriba Town, Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone. Using a multistage systematic sampling technique, 246 adult participants were selected. Data were collected using Kobo collect electronic platform and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results

Out of the 246 adult residents who were sampled, 63 (26%) practiced self-medication. Among them, females (33 or 52%) were more prevalent than males (30 or 48%). The most dominant age groups for self-medication were 38-47 (22 or 35%) and 28-37 (18 or 29%). The major reasons for self-medication were fear of infection (189 or 77%), fear of quarantine (199 or 81%), and stigma (189 or 77%). Delays in treatment (113 or 46%) and unavailability of Covid-19 medications (92 or 37%) were also cited. However, a majority of respondents (162 or 66%) denied the influence of friends or media (168 or 68%) on their decision to self-medicate. Reasons like "delay in receiving treatment" and "influence of friends" showed significant association with self-medication (pValue <0.05). More than half of the respondents 177 (72%) did not practice self-medication before the pandemic. Adverse reactions due to self-medication included skin rashes and blisters 29 (45%) and drowsiness 24 (38%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of unsupervised medication before and after the pandemic was minimal suggesting little impact of the pandemic. Fear and social stigma were the main drivers for self-medication. To promote safety and informed health decisions, regulatory measures, and awareness campaigns are essential to control unsupervised medication sales, improve drug labeling, and educate the public about the dangers of self-medication.

Prevalence, Knowledge, Causes, and Practices of Self-Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication (SM) has become a critical element in the healthcare system. SM can ease the burden on hospitals and medical resources by treating minor illnesses. However, inappropriate SM practices can lead to adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, and incorrect diagnoses, resulting in poor health outcomes. Methods To evaluate the prevalence, knowledge, causes, and practices of SM among the Bangladeshi population during the COVID-19 outbreak, a cross-sectional survey with structured questionnaires was conducted in Chittagong City, Bangladesh, from March to May 2022. The survey included 265 participants, with an average age of 35.09 years, and a multiple-choice questionnaire was used to gather information. Results The study found that 64.15% of the respondents had sufficient knowledge of SM, while 35.8% had insufficient knowledge. The primary reasons for SM during the pandemic were the influence of friends/family (90.74%), fear of infection or contact with COVID-19 cases (73.15%), and fear of quarantine or self-isolation (72.22%). Analgesics/pain relievers (84%) were the most commonly used drugs for SM for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Antiulcerants/antacid (42%), vitamin C and multivitamins (42%), and antibiotics (32%) were also frequently used. Conclusion This study suggests that SM is prevalent among Chittagong City residents, particularly those with less than a tertiary education. The study highlights the importance of building awareness about SM practices and taking necessary steps to control them.

Risk factors associated with self-medication among the indigenous communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

Background

In developing countries like Bangladesh, self-medication has become a predicament associated with health risks and clinical complications. To date, no studies have been conducted on the practice of self-medication among the indigenous population living in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT).

Objectives

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and analyzing the factors associated with it among the indigenous population in CHT.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from late October to early December 2020; among different indigenous group populations residing in the three districts of CHT aged 18 or more. A pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, frequency of self-medication, reasons for self-medication in last one year, as well as other variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess associated factors with self-medication.

Results

A total of 1350 people from different indigenous populations were interviewed, among whom 49.9% practiced self-medication. The rate of self-prescribed antibiotics usage (80.9%) was significantly higher compared to other drugs. Self-prescribed medications were mostly used for diarrhea and food poisoning (60.6%), cough, cold and fever (51.4%), and headache (51.4%). A common source of self-prescribed medicines was community or retail pharmacy and the most reported reason for self-prescribed medication was the long-distance of healthcare facilities from home.

Conclusion

The prevalence of self-medication is substantially high among indigenous people and the effect is alarming. Particular concern is the misuse of antibiotics and analgesic drugs. Increasing awareness among the population of the negative effect of self-medication and implementation of proper policies and actions are urgently needed to prevent self-medication among indigenous population in Bangladesh.

Prevalence, Predictors and Point of View Toward Self-Medication Among Residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Irrational Self-Medication (SM) practice leads to incorrect diagnosis and is a risk factor for disease exacerbation and serious health consequences. Hence Responsible SM is vital for better health outcomes. In the present community-based study we explored the SM practice during the last 3 months, frequency, outcome, medications used, reasons influencing SM, source of the drug, and information. Data were analyzed using SPSS; chi-square test was performed to indicate significance, Odds ratio, Pearson correlation, univariant and multivariant regression analysis were performed to find out factors and predictors of SM. A total of 611 residents completed the survey. SM was practiced by 52.9% of participants during the last 3 months, with a frequency of one to two times. Headache (64.8%), pain (35.4%), fever/flu (31.4%), cold & cough (21.9%) and dysmenorrhea (20.9%) were illnesses managed using pain killers (75.9%), multivitamins (25.5%), anti-pyretic (24.7%) and herbal medicines (18.5%). Minor illness (67.9%), earlier experience (33.9%) and shortness of time to attend healthcare facilities (18.8%) were the reasons for practicing SM. Distance to healthcare and routine physical activity have significantly influenced the SM practice. Residents stated that inappropriate SM would lead to negative outcomes, including drug side effects (70%), Interaction (34.2%), poor treatment outcome (32.6%) and return of symptoms (26.5%). Interestingly, two-thirds of participants (68.9%) have recommended SM in case of minor illnesses only, 85.3% of respondents have expressed their desire to learn more about appropriate SM, and 76.6% are willing to return their leftover or unused medications to drug take-back centers.

Out-of-pocket payment for healthcare among urban citizens in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objectives

Out-of-pocket (OOP) payment is the major payment strategy for healthcare in Bangladesh, and the share of OOP expenditure has increased alarmingly. Dhaka is recognised as one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. The objective of this study is to capture the self-reported illnesses among urban citizens and to identify whether and to what extent socioeconomic, demographic and behavioural factors of the population influence OOP healthcare expenditures.

Subject and methods

This study utilises cross-sectional survey data collected from May to August 2019 in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 3,100 households were randomly selected. Simple descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentage, mean (95% CI), median and inter-quartile range were presented. Bivariate analysis and multivariate regression models were employed.

Results

We observed that acute illnesses (e.g., fever, flu/cough) were dominant among participants. Among the chronic illnesses, approximately 9.6% of people had diabetes, while 5.3% had high/low blood pressure. The richest quintile only spent 5.2% of their household income on healthcare, while the poorest households spent approximately six times more than the richest households. We noted that various factors such as marital status, religion, source of care, access to safe water, income quintile and even the location of households had a significant relationship with OOP expenditure.

Conclusions

Our findings can serve as important source of data in terms of disease- specific symptoms and out-of-pocket cost among urban citizens in Dhaka. The people belonging to wealthier households tended to choose better healthcare facilities and spend more. A pro-poor policy initiative and even an urban health protection scheme may be necessary to ensure that healthcare services are accessible and affordable, in line with the Bangladesh National Urban Health Strategy.

Antibiotics Self-Medication Practice and Associated Factors Among Residents in Dessie City, Northeast Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Taking antibiotics without prescription would result in the emergency of antibiotics resistance. The aim of this study was to assess antibiotics self-medication practice and associated factors among residents in Dessie City, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional was employed from June to July 2021. A total of 407 participants have been selected from each Kebele by stratified and systematic random sampling techniques. The collected data were checked, translated and exported into SPSS version 26. Results were organized using frequency and percentage tables. Bi-variate and multi-variable logistic regressions were used to test the association of independent variables with antibiotics self-medication practice.

RESULTS

Four hundred and seven participants enrolled with a response of 96.7%. One hundred and fifty-two (37.3%) were females, and 115 (28.3%) respondents have taken antibiotics in the last 6 months. The prevalence of antibiotics self-medication practice was 55.3% (95% CI: 50.6-60.2). Amoxicillin (45%), Ciprofloxacin (36%), and Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (24%) were commonly used antibiotics. Cough (34.4), fever (30.7), cold and flu (29.0), diarrhea (21.9) and headache (18.7) were the most reported conditions that necessitate antibiotics self-medication. Educational level (8-10 grade) (AOR = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.28, 13.12), using mass media as a source of information (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24, 4.27), relying on previous experience for source of information (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.31), having awareness of antibiotics resistance (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.50) and good knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.97) were significantly associated with antibiotics self-medication practice.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics self-medication practice among residents was high. Educational status, using mass media and previous experiences as sources of information on antibiotics, having awareness of antibiotics resistance, and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance were significantly associated with self medication of antibiotics. Attention should be given by the stakeholders to reduce self medication practice with antibiotics.