Patterns of Self Medication Among Educated and Uneducated Population in a University Setting in Lahore Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Survey
Abstract
Background and Objective: Self-medication is gaining attention and is becoming a public health concern.
Malpractice of self-medication is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis, overdose, prolonged duration, drug
interactions and poly-pharmacy; which causes increased burden on the individual and is problematic in the
elderly. This study evaluated the prevalence and patterns of self-medication among Educated and Uneducated
population in a university setting in Pakistan.
Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted in 100 individuals (educated: 50 and uneducated:
50). A questionnaire was filled consisting questions related to symptoms that necessitate self-medication,
motive for self-medication and the sources of information about medication.
Results: There was no significant difference in prevalence of self-medication in educated (68%) and uneducated
samples (60%). Headache (32%), fever (30%), cough (16%) and gastric problems (8%) were the common
symptoms for which self-medication were sought. However, Self-mediation for headache (36% vs 28%) and
fever (32% vs 28%) was significantly higher in uneducated vs educated sample. The main reasons to self
medicate among educated population vs uneducated included conditions not serious (48% vs 32%); lack of
time (48% vs. 20%), whereas, 44% uneducated reported to save money as compared to 4% educated sample.
The common source for self-medication in both the samples were past experience (56%) and advice from
others (24%), however, advertisement as a source of self-medication prevailed in uneducated sample (20%) as
compared to educated sample (8%).
Conclusion: Self-medication is prevalent in educated and uneducated population. The drug authorities must
regulate policies to provide safe and cost effective products, in particular to safe antibiotic usage and prevent
adverse effects of drugs. Standards should be applied to the provision of information and advertisement to
ensure responsible self-medication.
