Self-Medication With Over-the-counter Medicines Among the Working Age Population in Metropolitan Areas of Thailand

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is becoming an increasingly popular practice around the world. The global prevalence rate of self-medication ranges from 11.2% to 93.7%, depending on the target population and country. However, there is a lack of data on the prevalence and practices of self-medication among the working-age population, particularly in Thailand metropolitan areas. The current study describes the prevalence of self-medication practices, adverse drug reactions and severity, reasons for self-medication, and basic medication knowledge among people of working age in metropolitan areas in Thailand.Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional study between December 2020 and January 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze self-medication data. A chi-square test was used to assess the association between self-medication and sociodemographic characteristics.Results: This study found high prevalence of self-medication among the working-age population in metropolitan areas of Thailand (88.2%). The most commonly used drug groups were NSAIDs (34.8%) and antibiotics (30.2%). Minor illness and easy access to pharmacies were the most common reasons for self-medication. Almost half of the participants' illnesses (42.6%) for which they self-medicated were not always completely cured, necessitating treatment at a hospital or clinic. Although only a small number of participants (ranged from 0.6 to 6.6%) experienced adverse drug reactions as a result of self-medication, some had severe symptoms that disrupted their daily lives or required hospitalization. In terms of basic medication knowledge, we discovered that study participants misunderstood some antibiotic drug concepts.Conclusions: According to the study findings, it is recommended that more information about the risks of self-medication, drug adverse reactions, antibiotic stewardship, more supervision of the prohibition of over-the-counter drugs and selling practices, and adequate facilities for peoples access to medical services be provided at the policy level.

Assessment of Rational Use of Antibiotics: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study among People of Nepal

“…Further, 15.58% took antibiotics without prescription. Self-use of antibiotics was found 15.5% in undergraduate students of Nigeria similar to our study, 30.2% among the metropolitan people of Thailand, and 23.7% in South India [26][27][28].…”

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted July 12, 2022. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.07.11.22277488 doi: medRxiv preprint use of antibiotics was found 15.5% in undergraduate students of Nigeria similar to our study, 30.2% among the metropolitan people of Thailand, and 23.7% in South India [26][27][28].…”

Over the counter drugs and self-medication: A worldwide paranoia and a troublesome situation in India during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Similar findings were observed in Peru, where most patients reported using acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or azithromycin for various symptoms [ 15 ]. Whereas, Thailand reported an astounding 88.2% prevalence of self-medication in its metropolitan areas, most commonly using NSAIDs and antibiotics [ 16 ]. A similar number (88.3%) was observed in Bangladesh, with most people using ivermectin, and even doxycycline without prescription [ 17 ].…”

Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey

“…In Vietnam, self-medication of OTC medicines is a common practice among highland residents, with a prevalence rate of 83.3% in the last 12 months [ 17 ]. The overall prevalence of self-medication with OTC medicines among the working age population in Thailand is 88.2% [ 20 ]. In Malaysia, the prevalence of self-medication with OTC medicine among female students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is 80.9% [ 21 ].…”