Self-Medication Problem in Al Gharbia Governorate: Prevalence, Determinants, Health and Economic Effects

Background: Self-medication is defined as obtaining and consuming medication without professional supervision regarding indication, dosage, and duration of treatment to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. Aim of the study: to estimate self medication practice (SMP) among population attending primary health care (PHC) centers and to identify the risk factors for self-medication. The study has also identified types of drugs used in self-medication, and estimated the current knowledge of the studied subjects towards self medication. Also detected the health and direct economic effects of the problem. Methodology: The study was a descriptive study based on cross-sectional approach. The study analysed data from 1100 subjects attending primary health care centers (PHCs) in Mahala city, Gharbia governorate, Egypt. The study was also analysed data from 100 subjects attending Emergency department at Mahala district hospital. Two forms of questionnaires were used in this study; of the first form of questionnaire was for people attending the PHCs and it was included data related to self medication and its associated risk factors. Also, it included data about the level of knowledge and attitude of self medications. The second form of questionnaire was for hospital survey and included data related to self medication and its associated risk factors as well as the charges paid for it (economic impact) by measuring the cost of drugs, cost of laboratory investigation and cost of instruments. Results: Prevalence of self-medication among the studied subjects was 74 %. Mean value of distance from the nearest health care facility, waiting time in the health care facility were significantly higher among SMP group than not SMP group. The risk of SMP was increased among female sex, widow and divorced women with a significant positive association was detected. The most important self medication used by studied sample was the analgesics. The results revealed a highly statistically significant difference between the two groups where the poor level of knowledge was higher among SMP group compared with not SMP group. The comparison of the studied subjects by their self medication practice and their attitudes towards self medication has also showed a highly statistically significant difference between the two groups as regarding attitudes towards self medication. Mean cost was significantly higher among SMP admitted subjects than not SMP admitted subjects. Conclusion and recommendations: A considerable high proportion of self medication among the studied population (74 %) attending the primary health care centers in Mahla City. The most important self medication used by studied sample was the analgesics. The study findings address the crucial need to carry out the large national study to get national results about this significant public health problem. However, until executing the large study, it is of benefit to notify the health care authorities, this results.