A STUDY OF SELF MEDICATION AMONG THE PEOPLE OF BHOPAL REGION MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Abstract

The aim of study is to gather information on extent of self medication practice. The outcome of the study will provide data regarding reasons, public awareness and safety aspects of self medication in Bhopal city. It was a questionnaire based survey which was conducted on adult male and female population in Bhopal region. On a personal interview session questions were asked to the participants and responses were noted. Questionnaire include the variables like conditions, reason, system of medicine used, type of medicine consumed and source of information etc of self medication. Self medication is practiced mostly by males (58.6%) favoring the age group of 20-30 years. Out of 116 participants 56.8% said that they got information on self medication from chemist, 25% people got information by advertisements. Maximum participants (58.6%) considered that they use self medication for quick relief, 23.2% said that they have lack of time to go to doctors due to their busy schedule. Very common medicine used for self medication is paracetamol which was preferred by 34.4% of the participants and 18.9% like to have Disprin. Self medication for headache (25.8%), fever (36.2 %) and body pain (32.7%) are most common. Self medication is very common among the young male with high prevalence rate. Literacy and the economy are the major factors of self medication in the peoples. Although generally people have knowledge, but more awareness on self medication is needed.