PREVALENCE OF SELF MEDICATION AMONG PATIENTS VISITING OUTPATIENT SERVICES OF EAR NOSE AND THROAT DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL OF EASTERN NEPAL

Abstract

Introduction: A budding global concern, self medication, not only results in desirable benefits with lesser burden on health care delivery system, but might lead to prolonged suffering and has become a major health problem. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of self medication and identify the different factors influencing self medication, the most common symptoms and the most common drug groups self medicated with among the patients visiting ENT OPD of the Koshi Zonal Hospital (KZH), Biratnagar.

Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study of two months duration using a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire was conducted on all patients visiting ear, nose and throat outpatient services of Koshi Zonal Hospital, Biratnagar. Information on bio-data, sources of health information, symptoms leading to and reasons for engaging in this practice and the category of the drugs self medicated with were obtained. Descriptive analysis of the data was done and it was summarized as counts and percentages.

Results: Overall 47.3% of the patients attending ear, nose and throat outpatient department practiced self medication and it was more prevalent among the males (59.5%) than females (40.5%). Majority (46.9%) depended on local pharmacy for the source of health information. Fever (15%), cough and common cold (14.9%), headache (14.6%) were the most common symptoms for which self medication was practiced. Analgesics and antipyretics (35.8%) and cough/ cold remedies (24.5%), antibiotics (22.1%) were the common drug groups self medicated with.

Conclusion: This study concludes that self medication is not responsibly practiced and the tendency of increasing in its prevalence is always a threat. The factors influencing self medication practice has been highlighted by this study and the need for public awareness and health education regarding responsible and safe self medication is felt.

Keywords: ENT department, Government hospital, Self-medication