Self-Medication Practices: A Threatening Challenge

Background and Objectives: Self-Medication is a growing concern for the health authorities especially in Urban population. This research was aimed to find the various determinants of SelfMedication and to assess the influence of Pharmacists, Perception about doctors, SelfKnowledge gaining attitude of the patients on Self-Medication. Methods: This study was conducted in Nagpur city with a random sample constituting house wives, students, professionals and Businessman. The sample size was 71. Descriptive analyses, correlation analyses and multiple regressions were performed using SPSS Version 21.0. Results: The results indicated that 80% of the housewives take the medicines on the basis of previous prescription, word of mouth or on the suggestion of the pharmacist. It was alarming to find that 76% of the students took the medicines on the basis of web search. Fever (39%), headache (33%) & Abdominal pain (23%) are the prominent reasons for Self-Medication. There was a positive correlation between Advice of Pharmacist, Self-knowledge collection attitude of the patient with the Self-Medication behavior. NSAID’s, anti-allergen and antibiotics are the most frequently used drugs. Original Research Article Bante et al.; JPRI, 33(38A): 21-25, 2021; Article no.JPRI.71004 22 Conclusion: Self-medication is an important health issue prevalent in India. Over the counter (OTC) and Old prescriptions available with the patients leads to rise in Self-Medication. There should be a strict regulatory control on procurement of drugs from the pharmacist.


INTRODUCTION
Self-Medication can be defined as the tendency of the patient to use the drugs without the prescription of the physician [1]. The concept of Self-Medication has been prevailing in India from the days when Ayurvedic medicines were largely used by the people. These medicines were then percolated in the coming generations through word of mouth [2]. India is a country where most of the population is concentrated in rural areas. The people in these areas are deprived of primary health care facilities where by there is a tendency to ignore the symptoms till the disease reaches a serious mode [3]. But this is not restricted to rural areas only. The educated and urban population also goes for Self-Medication especially the women [4]. In the present era, the Self-Medication practice has increased manifold due to large amount of information available on internet [5]. But the users are not aware that this practice can be injurious to their Health. The concept of Self-Medication also includes using the old prescription to procure medicines, sharing the medicines with friends or relatives or using the leftover medicines at home [6]. Many people also tend to take medicines by just consulting the pharmacist as well [7-10].

METHODOLOGY
The Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire. Random sampling method was used. Quantitative study was undertaken among 71 patients to explore the dimensions of self-medication and to ascertain determinants of the same. The Research area was restricted to North Nagpur City [11][12][13] [7-8].

Data Analysis
Internal consistencies of the scales were tested. Descriptive analyses, correlation analyses and multiple regressions were performed. SPSS Version 21.0 was used for data analysis. Pearson correlation analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between determinants and dimensions of self-medication as well as the interrelation among the individual determinants.

Objectives
To understand the various determinants of Self-Medication.
To study the relationship between various determinants of Self-Medication

Hypothesis
H1: There is a positive relationship between Perception regarding Doctor and self-medication among patients. H2: There is a positive relationship between pharmacist related beliefs and self-medication in patients H3: There is a positive relationship between information collection behavior attitude and selfmedication among patients 3. RESULTS

Analysis and results of Quantitative Study
Descriptive analysis of data given in table indicates frequency counts and percentages. Frequency tabulations of the characteristics of the respondents were done in order to find out the nature of the sample and to ascertain heterogeneity among respondents.

Analysis
H1: There is a positive relationship between Perception regarding Doctor and self-medication among patients.

Results of Regression
Regression analyses had been used to examine the impact of the dependent variables Perception regarding Doctor and Self-Medication among patients. The Coefficient of correlation is used to assess the strength of the relationship between the determinants of self-medication and the dependent variable.

Regression Analysis
Regression analyses had been used to examine the impact of the dependent variables reliance on Pharmacist and Self-medication. The Coefficient of correlation is used to assess the strength of the relationship between the determinants of selfmedication and the dependent variable among patients. The Coefficient of correlation is used to assess the strength of the relationship between the determinants of self-medication and the dependent variable. Self-medication is regressed on calculated factor scores. Overall model is fit and statistically significant at F ratio of 3.382. The R square value is 0.29 indicate that 29% of the variance in self-medication is explained by information collection behavior attitude.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Self-medication is an important health issue prevalent in India. Over the counter (OTC) and Old prescriptions available with the patients leads to rise in Self-Medication. There should be a strict regulatory control on procurement of drugs from the pharmacist. It was observed that 45% of the patients avoid going to doctors because of the long waiting time, fees of the doctor, tests recommended by the doctor [11][12][13]. 33% of the patients relied on the pharmacist by telling him the symptoms as they found it more convenient and the pharmacists give free advice. Students, Professionals are the patients who rely on the information available on the internet with respect to their symptoms and thus tend to adhere to Self-Medication. Never the less, Self-Medication may prove to be fruitful for a short duration but these practices may prove to be dangerous for the patients in the long run.

DISCLAIMER
The products used for this research are commonly and predominantly use products in our area of research and country. There is absolutely no conflict of interest between the authors and producers of the products because we do not intend to use these products as an avenue for any litigation but for the advancement of knowledge. Also, the research was not funded by the producing company rather it was funded by personal efforts of the authors.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
Ethical clearance taken from institutional ethics committee.

CONSENT
As per international standard or university standard, patient's written consent has been collected and preserved by the author(s).