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PubMedDate not supplied

[A survey of self medication. Comparison of results obtained at two centers].

Authors report results of an investigation led in 2 separate departments concerning 200 subjects: --blood donors: they are by definition healthy subjects who regularly are in touch with a medical structure; --patients with acute traumatic pathology leading to bone surgery consultation. The aim of this investigation was to analyse the different parameters involved in self-medication and to compare their distribution. Self-medication has an overall incidence of 87.5% in these studied groups and has generally been lasting from 2 to 9 years. The main reason for it is the lack of gravity to go and see a physician; although 52% of the patients tested take the advise of another person. The clinical signs leading to self-medication are looked for; 468 different drugs are listed essentially antalogics and drugs for ear, nose and throat as well as respiratory tract diseases. Self prescribed drugs usually come from the familial stock. Blood donors have some specific characteristics. In this population self-medication is more frequent and has been lasting longer. They more often feel able to take themselves in charge, but in contrast ask for the chemist's or the doctor's advise more frequently.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Practice of self medication among slum-dwellers.

A cross sectional study including 110 households covering 630 individuals was carried out in an urban slum community to study the prevalence of practice of self medication by house to house survey. Self medication was practiced by 34.55% respondents and prevalent among all the age groups. Allopathic drugs were commonly used (78.95%). Economic inability in utilizing established medical facilities was the commonest reason for self medication (60.53%). The practice was more prevalent amongst literate but lower soci-economic class.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Testing the self-medication hypothesis of depression and aggression in cannabis-dependent subjects.

BACKGROUND: A self-medication hypothesis has been proposed to explain the association between cannabis use and psychiatric and behavioral problems. However, little is known about the reasons for use and reactions while intoxicated in cannabis users who suffer from depression or problems controlling violent behavior. METHOD: We assessed 119 cannabis-dependent subjects using the Schedules of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), parts of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), and questionnaires on reasons for cannabis use and reactions to cannabis use while intoxicated. Participants with lifetime depression and problems controlling violent behavior were compared to subjects without such problems. Validity of the groupings was corroborated by use of a psychiatric treatment register, previous use of psychotropic medication and convictions for violence. RESULTS: Subjects with lifetime depression used cannabis for the same reasons as others. While under the influence of cannabis, they more often experienced depression, sadness, anxiety and paranoia, and they were less likely to report happiness or euphoria. Participants reporting problems controlling violent behavior more often used cannabis to decrease aggression, decrease suspiciousness, and for relaxation; while intoxicated they more often reacted with aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with prior depression do not use cannabis as a mean of self-medication. They are more likely to experience specific increases of adverse symptoms while under the influence of cannabis, and are less likely to experience specific symptom relief. There is some evidence that cannabis is used as a means of self-medication for problems controlling aggression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Self-medication and memory in an elderly Canadian sample.

The ability of elderly people to self-medicate is a critical function for successful independent living. The current research investigated the predictive value of three aspects of memory potentially related to success or failure in a self-medication program. Results show that a combination of memory measures successfully discriminated between those subjects who advanced in the program and those who did not. The results of the present study provide information that will aid in improving the selection process for admission to self-medication programs.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Long-term effects of an educational intervention on self-medication and appropriate drug use in single-sex secondary public schools, Quito, Ecuador.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: *Self-medication is extensively practised in both developed and less-developed countries, sometimes inappropriately. *Educational intervention in secondary schools has been proven to be useful. *Most educational interventions in adolescent populations have focused on the reduction of addictive substance abuse. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: *Educational intervention can improve knowledge about self-medication and reduce misconceptions about diarrhoea, common cold and vitamins in an adolescent population. *A specific lecture followed by small working-group seminars produces better results than a general lecture alone in terms of 'knowledge' and 'attitude'. *The positive effects of the intervention are detectable even 1 year later. Yearly reinforcing interventions while in secondary school would allow long-lasting effects. AIM: Improving knowledge about rational drug use at an early age may be a good way to increase the population's awareness of health, medicines and self-medication. We set out to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of an educational intervention to promote rational drug use and self-medication in secondary school students. METHODS: A non-randomized, controlled clinical trial. The participants were 367 female students (10-13 years old) from two secondary public schools of the metropolitan district of Quito (Ecuador). The educational campaign had two components [a specific lecture (intervention and control schools) and subsequent small working group seminars (intervention school)] providing short and clear messages of five topics related to rational drug use. The main outcome measures were an increase in 'knowledge' short term (1 month) and long term (up to 1 year) after intervention and the relative risk (RR) reduction in misconceptions or wrong ideas about medicine use. RESULTS: The intervention group showed a significant increase in knowledge both short and long term and in comparison with the control group, mainly regarding oral rehydration salts preparation (+59.4%; P < 0.001), lack of multivitamin energizer action (+57.4%; P < 0.001), healthy growth effects (+53.3%; P < 0.001) and the perception that medicines' promotional activities do not teach how to take care of health (+54.0%; P < 0.001). A RR reduction in misconceptions about drugs was found short term and long term. The intervention group was less predisposed to consume antidiarrhoeals [RR = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62, 0.92], cough suppressants (0.44, 95% CI 0.35, 0.55) and other medicines for the common cold (0.56, 95% CI 0.45, 0.70). Misconceptions concerning the benefits of multivitamin preparations were reduced in 73%; additionally, the intervention group showed a decrease in their consumption (43.9% basal; 25.3% short term and 25.6% long term; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It is possible to achieve a favourable modification of attitudes to appropriate use of medicines in a teenage population and this modification lasts at least 1 year. Continuous reinforcing interventions would allow better and long-lasting effects and could help to fill the gap in health education of the general population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Self-medication in Germany.

We introduce the legal background of self-medication with OTC-drugs in Germany with regard to the pharmacy, drug store and health food shop distribution channels and the qualifications of the sales personnel. We give an overview of the frequency of self-medication and discuss risk/benefit in a pharmacoepidemiological context.

Drug Utilization↗
PubMed2002

[Prevalence and factors associated with self-medication: the Bambuí health survey].

OBJECTIVE: A population-based study was carried out in the municipality of Bambuí, Brazil (population: approx. 15,000 inhabitants), to determine the prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors. METHODS: A random sample of 1,221 residents aged >18 years was selected. Of these, 796 reported use of medications in the last 90 days and were selected for this study (775 participated). Data was collected through home interviews. Study variables were divided in 3 groups: social and economic, health status and health service use indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's Qui-square test, and odds ratios adjusted by multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the total, 419 (54.0%) reported use of only prescribed medications, 133 (17.2%) took prescribed and over-the-counter medications, and 223 (28.8%) took only over-the-counter medications in the last 90 days. After adjusting for confounders, the following variables presented significant associations with exclusive use of self-medication: female sex (OR=0.6; IC95%=0.4 - 0.9); age (OR=0.4; IC95%=0.3 - 0.6 for 40-59 years old and OR=0.2; IC95%=0.1 - 0.5 for >60 years); >5 residents in the household (OR=2.1; 1.1 - 4.0); number of visits to a doctor in the previous 12 months (OR=0.2; IC95%=0.1 - 0.4 and OR=0.1; IC95%=0.0-0.1 for 1 visit and >2 visits, respectively); report of consulting a pharmacist in the previous 12 months (OR=1.9; IC95%=1.1 - 3.3); and reports of financial expenses with medications during this period (OR=0.5; IC95%=0.3 - 0.8). CONCLUSIONS: The study results show that the prevalence of self-medication in the studied community was similar to that observed in developed countries. These results also suggest that self-medication works in place of the formal health attention in this community.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An interactive technology approach to educate older adults about drug interactions arising from over-the-counter self-medication practices.

An interactive computer program (Personal Education Program [PEP]) designed for the learning styles and psychomotor skills of older adults was used to teach older adults about potential drug interactions that can result from self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) agents and alcohol. Subjects used the PEP on notebook computers equipped with infrared sensitive touchscreens. Subjects were recruited from senior centers. Those who met age, vision, literacy, independence, and medication use criteria were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PEP plus information booklet; (2) information booklet only; or (3) control. A repeated measures (three time periods 2 weeks apart), three-group design was used. Users of PEP had significantly greater knowledge and self-efficacy scores than both the conventional and control groups at all three time points. The PEP group reported fewer adverse self-medication behaviors over time. Reported self-medication behaviors did not change over time for either the conventional or control groups. Subjects indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the PEP and reported their intent to make specific changes in self-medication behaviors.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Self-medication with over-the-counter drugs among elderly adults.

Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is an economical choice of treatment for common self-limiting illnesses. As more medications are made available as OTC drugs, and as the population of older adults continues to increase, a need arises to monitor how elderly individuals use these agents. The purpose of this study was to assess the self-medication practices with OTC drugs among older adults. The study took place in a city in North Carolina in apartments managed by the city's Housing Authority and a private physician's office. Participants included 39 adults ages 59 to 91. Respondents lived independently, used OTC drugs, and were responsible for their health care decisions. Conn's Self-Medication Practice Tool was used to assess symptoms the older adults were treating with OTC drugs; therapeutic categories of OTC drugs used; frequency of OTC drugs used; and the use of alcohol, prescription drugs, and caffeine. The respondents reported pain as the symptom most frequently self-treated with OTC drugs. Ninety percent of the respondents used pain medicine, and approximately two thirds (67%) of the respondents used at least one high blood pressure medicine. More than half of the respondents (59%) used caffeine daily, and 10% used alcohol. The researchers concluded that older adults might be unaware of the adverse risks associated with concurrent use of pain medicines, alcohol, high blood pressure drugs, and regular caffeine use. This makes it necessary for all nurses and other clinicians providing health care to older adults to intensify efforts to educate and guard these patients and ensure appropriate use of OTC drugs.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Self-medication with gamma-hydroxybutyrate to reduce alcohol intake.

We describe a 52-year-old man who self-medicated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a widely available illicit substance, to obtain a decrease in ethanol consumption. He successfully reduced his ethanol intake over a 3-month period, but he was unable to sustain abstinence. Although case reports on the use of GHB to induce euphoria have been published, this is the first report of GHB self-medication to facilitate ethanol abstinence. This report highlights the importance of considering GHB self-medication not only for euphoric and mood altering effects, but also as a potential treatment for ethanol intake reduction.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
PubMed1992

Adherence and accuracy. Self-medication during inpatient psychiatric treatment.

1. The goals of the Medication Education and Self-Administration Program were to develop a way to assess inpatient self-medication accuracy; create a comprehensive intervention that would address individual characteristics that may produce nonadherence; and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. 2. The majority of program participants demonstrated significant errors within days when given the opportunity to administer their own medications, suggesting that participants' in-hospital self-administration may be an accurate predictor of postdischarge performance. 3. Even in cases where training failed to influence self-administered performance, program participation provided valuable information that guided subsequent treatment decisions and programmatic refinements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Profile of self-medication in Brazil].

INTRODUCTION: The data presented are part of a World Health Organization (WHO) multicenter study of self-medication in Latin America. Brazilian sites included: Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, the city of S. Paulo and outlying locations. The objective was to characterize self-medication practices by analyzing drugs sought by consumers in pharmacies without a physician's prescription. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Drugs were classified according to the Anatomic Therapeutic Classification codes, and analyzed with respect to 1) intrinsic value; 2) recognition as an essential drug (by either WHO or Brazil); 3) number of active ingredients; and 4) requirement for prescription. RESULTS: Five thousand, three hundred and thirty-two (5,332) different drugs, with 785 distinct active ingredients were sought. Of these, 49.5% were fixed dose combinations, 53.0% were of little intrinsic value, 44.1% required a physician's prescription, 71.0% were not essential drugs, and 40.0% of requests were based on prior prescriptions from the physician. The drugs most requested were analgesics (17.3%), nasal descongestants (7.0%), antirheumatic anti-inflammatory drugs (5.6%), and systemic anti-infective drugs (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication in Brazil reflects the needs and habits of the population. It is strongly influenced by physician's-prescribing habits and by the inadequate selectivity of the Brazilian pharmaceutical market.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Help-seeking behavior and self-medication of a population in an urban area in Turkey: cross sectional study.

AIM: To define help-seeking behavior and self-medication among people with different symptoms and complaints in an industrialized urban area of Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the city center of Kocaeli province, Western Turkey, in October-November 1998. To research help-seeking behavior in respect of secondary prevention and curative practices, we randomly selected households (N=812), interviewed the household members at their home, and recorded the reasons for visiting a pharmacy in 6 pharmacies (N=1,331 visits to pharmacy) in the Kocaeli region. RESULTS: The majority of interviewed people knew the meaning and importance of regular medical checkups, and only 7% had never underwent periodic checkups, mainly because of the lack of interest or time. Self-medication was found to be the dominant mode of help-seeking behavior, especially in the case of pain. The proportion of unprescribed to prescribed drugs was 1:1.75, with analgetics, antipyretics, expectorants, and antitussives as the most commonly requested unprescribed drugs. CONCLUSION: A considerable amount of health care occured within the popular sector, with self-medication and pharmacist's advice as dominant modes of behavior. The health care system should take this into account when planning activities aimed at detection of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Guidelines for adults on self-medication for the treatment of acute diarrhoea.

Acute uncomplicated diarrhoea is commonly treated by self-medication. Guidelines for treatment exist, but are inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, and often owe more to dogma than evidence. An ad hoc multidisciplinary group has reviewed the literature to determine best practice. In general it is recognized that treatment of acute episodes relieves discomfort and social dysfunction. There is no evidence that it prolongs the illness. Self-medication in otherwise healthy adults is safe. Oral loperamide is the treatment of choice. Older anti-diarrhoeal drugs are also effective in the relief of symptoms but carry the risk of unwanted adverse effects. Oral rehydration solutions do not relieve diarrhoea, and confer no added benefit for adults who can maintain their fluid intake. Probiotic agents are, at present, limited in efficacy and availability. Antimicrobial drugs, available without prescription in some countries, are not generally appropriate for self-medication, except for travellers on the basis of medical advice prior to departure. Medical intervention is recommended for the management of acute diarrhoea in the frail, the elderly (> 75 years), persons with concurrent chronic disease, and children. Medical intervention is also required when there is no abatement of the symptoms after 48 h, or when there is evidence of deterioration such as dehydration, abdominal distension, or the onset of dysentery (pyrexia > 38.5 degrees C and/or bloody stools).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Self-medication among university students in Hong Kong.

Five hundred and sixty-three university students were interviewed to survey the practice of self-medication which was found to be very prevalent (94.0%). The most commonly used items included remedies for cough and cold, antipyretics and analgesics. Topical preparations and Chinese herbal medicines were also frequently consumed. Self-medication items were mostly obtained from home medicine cabinets and pharmacy shops (not necessarily staffed by registered pharmacists) and they also relied heavily on family members and previous illness experience for information on the medications they took. The healthcare professionals only played a minor role in the provision of drug information. Nevertheless, the concept of self-medication is well-established among these university students as they recognised that minor illness could be cared for without seeing a doctor. Healthcare professionals should assume more active roles in the provision of drug information and counselling so that a good self-care programme could be established.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The use of modern pharmaceuticals in a Filipino village: doctors' prescription and self medication.

The use of pharmaceuticals in common childhood illnesses is evaluated. The extent to which drug use is related to doctors' prescription is assessed. Attention is paid to the social context in which pharmaceuticals are applied. The study shows that the majority of the childhood illnesses are treated without consulting a doctor. In half of the cases, in which no doctor is consulted, pharmaceuticals--both prescription and nonprescription--are used. Symptomatic therapies as anti-diarrhoeals and cough syrups are found to be most popular. All of the anti-diarrhoeals and nearly half of the cough syrups used, are considered unsuitable for use in common childhood illnesses. Prescription practices by doctors have many harmful characteristics in common with self medication. Moreover, the example of doctors' prescriptions seems to encourage the choice for expensive, often dangerous, symptomatic therapy in self medication. To diminish this wasteful and dangerous use of drugs in self medication, reforms in distribution and production of drugs at national level and education in drug use at the community level are recommended. More knowledge of self medication practices is considered crucial in the implementation of such policies.

Common Cold↗
PubMed1992

Drug abuse as self-medication for depression: an empirical study.

The authors empirically studied the self-medication hypothesis of drug abuse by examining drug effects and motivation for drug use in 494 hospitalized drug abusers. Most patients reported that they used drugs in response to depressive symptoms and experienced mood elevation, regardless of their drug of choice. Drug use to relieve depressive symptoms was far more likely in men if they had major depression, but was equally common in women with and without major depression. Information regarding a history of self-medication may thus be more helpful in diagnosing major depression in men than in women. Difficulties in diagnosing psychiatric disorders in substance abusers are discussed, as are the limitations of obtaining retrospective data on drug-using behavior. The implications of these limitations on the generalizability of the findings are reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Self-medication: an important aspect of primary health care.

The main objective of this study was to determine the degree to which individuals practised self-medication in relation to their educational status. Kalutara, a small town in Sri-Lanka is semi-urban and has a good mixture of literates and illiterates. Important findings include the fact that knowledge of drugs was grossly inadequate, literates self-medicated far more than illiterates and a high percentage of the total sample population by-passed other health personnel in preference for Western trained doctors. Self-medication, though desirable, can be dangerous and should be emphasized as a component of primary health care because (i) it is commonly practised even where health professionals are easily accessible, (ii) it encourages self-reliance for curative, preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care and (iii) literacy, which seems to enhance its practice, is increasing worldwide.

Adult↗