Assessment of practice of self-medication among the general public of Nagpur city – A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives: Self-medication is the use of medication to treat self-diagnosed disorders. These are commonly known as “non-prescription” or “over-the-counter” drugs. Since there is no prescription required, the drugs used to self-medicate can be obtained at pharmacies and supermarkets. People usually self-medicate when they have minor ailments such as cough, fever, and headache.The aim of this study was to evaluate the practice of self-medication among the general public of Nagpur city and correlate it with gender, age, and education. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Nagpur by obtaining responses to a pre-validated questionnaire issued in interest. The study population included people of age group 18 years and above. The questionnaire was circulated among the general public of Nagpur city for a period of 1 month. Results: A total of 321 responses were collected. It was observed that 226 of the responders from both the genders self-medicated for a minor ailment and by repeated use of old prescription. Conclusion: Self-medication has become a norm among the general public of Nagpur city. Self-medication is influenced by prior experience with a medical condition and its management . It is vital to inform the public of the risk of antimicrobial resistance as well as the individual risk of harmful medication reactions.