Assessment of Self-Medication and Their Associated Risks in Medical and Non-Medical People of Sialkot: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Self-medication is an important health issues among patients’ behavior in reaction to their ailment. Objectives: To assess self-medication practices and their associated risks in medical & non-medical people of Sialkot, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methodology: Present study enrolled 250 subjects from Sialkot between October-November 2020 through self-administered web-based questionnaire. It assessed demographic details, prevalence and practice of self-medication along-with the attitude of respondents towards self-medication and associated side effects. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS, v-24. Results: Among enrolled subjects, mean age was 21 ± 1.8 years. Female: Male percentages were (59.4%: 40.2%). Self-medication was common among 85% subjects. The most common reason for self-medication in medical people was to need a quick relief (42.9%) and in non-medical people were previous experience with symptoms (35.2%). Conclusion: We concluded that habit of self-medication is a common practice among educated generation knowing the fact that it harms their lives. Hence, need of hour is to educate them in-order to ensure safe practices. Key Words: Self Medication, Prevalence and Risk Factors.