EXTENT AND PATTERN OF SELF MEDICATION USE AMONG ADULT RESIDENTS OF A JURISDICTION IN NORTH INDIA

Introduction: Self Medication (SM), a form of self care, is a topic of growing interest among researchers and a matter of concern for policy makers and implementors, owing to a plethora of associated malpractices in general population. There is paucity of information about this menace, especially in developing countries. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence, pattern and determinants of self medication among adult residents of a district in North India. Methods: This community based cross sectional mixed method study was carried out in of a district S.A.S, Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India. Multistage stratified random sampling technique and Probability proportional to size (PPS) was used in the 400 households from urban, rural and slum areas. A pretested questionnaire was administered to one representative member of each of the 400 households. Besides 150 people visiting medical stores were interviewed for self medication practices. Results: SM was widely practiced (97%) in study population, more in urban as compared to rural and slum counterparts. People of all socio demographic categories practiced self-medication but were most frequently observed in age group of 31-40 years, females and urban residents. Monetary constraint was cited as the main reason for SM. Allopathy was the preferred medicinal system and the local pharmacist being the main information source for SM. Easy availability, multiple drug options and lack of prescription requirement emerged as the major factor responsible for irrational drug use under SM. Conclusion: SM was widely practiced in study population. Thus, there is an urgent need to curb this practice by legislation and educational means.