Self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives belonging to the middle income group in a city in northern India

Abstract

Objectives:The objective was to assess the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives belonging to the middle income group in a city of Haryana State in Northern India.Materials and Methods:A detailed questionnaire designed to assess the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior and interview technique was used to elicit the requisite information. One hundred housewives of the middle income group were interviewed in Rohtak.Results:Most of the housewives were in the habit of keeping the medicines though only 73% of them were in the habit of using it without any prescription. Also it was seen that those housewives who were taking self-medication were better educated than those not indulged in self-medication. All of them were using allopathic drugs on a regular basis while other modes of medications were less used. The self-medication was most commonly based on the previous prescriptions issued by the doctors followed by the suggestions from friends, advertisement on the television, and newspapers. For most of them the reasons for self-medication were financial restraints and lack of time to go to the medical practitioner.Conclusions:The study delineates the difference in the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives in a city of Northern India. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive measures for intervention strategies to promote rational drug therapy by improving prescribing patterns and influencing self-medication.

A study of self medication among the adult people of the Nanded city, western India

“…12,14 In contrast to this finding Stephen et al (59.5%), Chari et al (51.4%) and Kaushal et al (49.0%) stated that previous doctor's prescription were the most common sources of self medication. 10,11,15 Maximum study subjects (45%) stated that they practice self medication because of high consultation fee of doctors which was the same observation by Kulkarni et al, Adhikary et al and Shankar et al 7,8,12 A study conducted in rural Maharashtra by Phalke VD et al found that the major reason for self medication were economic (58.5%) and non availability of health care facility (29.3%). 16 Other common reasons for self medication were why to consult doctors for minor illness, lack of time, easy availability of OTC drugs etc.…”

“…were commonly used for self medication. 4,9,10,12,14 Loharkar et al and Stephen et al found that even sedative drugs were used for self medication which comes under schedule H and cannot be purchased over the counter without the prescription of a qualified doctor. 11,13 We observed pharmacists (48.7%) as the most common source of information about OTC drugs.…”

“…9 In another study in Rohtak, Northern India, author stated that 53% graduates and 21% postgraduates study subjects took self medication. 10 Kulkarni et al studied self medication practices among urban slum dwellers of Bhavani Nagar, Hyderabad and observed that 33.33% study subjects were uneducated. 7 This shows that illiterate as well as higher educational status people prefer to practice self medication.…”

Self-medication practices versus health of the community

“…15 A study done in a city of Northern India, most of the housewives were in the habit of keeping the medicines though only 73% of them were in the habit of using it without any prescription. 16 In New Delhi, study done by Lal, the prevalence of selfmedication among those who had suffered some illness episode in the last one month was 31.3%. 17 A study done by Arun et al, the prevalence of self-medication was 30%.…”

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“…Brand was selected on the basis of previous experience (48.8%) while in 21.3% cases it was suggested by pharmacist & chemist. Only 62% of participants knew that SM can be harmful 5 .…”