The Consumption of Conventional and Nonconventional Medicines in an Italian Province: The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors and Health Beliefs

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-101
Author(s):  
Davide Galesi ◽  
Linda Lombi
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Consumption Frequency ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Many studies have investigated the factors that influence the consumption of medicines. This article aims to compare how these factors affect both conventional medicines (prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines) and nonconventional ones, also named as complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). A questionnaire was administered to a purposive sample of 4,074 inhabitants of the province of Mantua, Italy. Logical regressions were used to identify the variables influencing frequency of use. The consumption frequency of various types of medicines was associated not only with demographic aspects (such as gender, age, and education level) but also with everyday treatment strategies (such as self-medication habits and use of the Internet for medical aims) and health beliefs. From this last point of view, the use of conventional and nonconventional medicines is guided by 2 principal therapeutic attitudes, one aimed at removing all pathological aspects from everyday life and the other at contextualizing health problems within a broader philosophical search.

scholarly journals A study of self medication among the adult people of the Nanded city, western India

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 3814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rambhau Dhondibarao Gadekar ◽  
Prakash Laxminarayan Gattani ◽  
Vishal Samadhan Dhande
Keyword(s):  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Level ◽  
Western India ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter

Background: Modern medicines are of prime importance to human being and are potentially hazardous when taken indiscriminately in the form of self medication. The main objective was to study the practice of self medication and the common ailments, drugs used, sources of information and the reasons for it.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out on 300 urban adults. From the four zone of Nanded city, one zone was selected by lottery method and from that zone one pharmacy (medical) shop was selected randomly for data collection. Adult people who bought medicines from the selected shop without any prescription were interviewed for information regarding sociodemographic factors like age, sex, residence, education, occupation etc and information about over the counter drug such as which drug they purchased, what was the main symptom of their illness, reasons for not consulting doctor, sources of information about over the counter drug etc. were collected on predesigned and pretested semi structured proforma.Results: Out of 300 study subjects 78.3% were males and 21.7% were females. Maximum study subjects, 39.0% were from 30-39 years of age group and 23% study subjects were educated up to secondary school level. Most common symptom was fever (21%) followed by headache (15%). The commonest category of drug used for self medication was analgesic drugs (27%) and majority of study subjects said pharmacist was the main source of information about OTC drugs (48.7%). 45% study subject stated that reason for self medication was high consultation fees of private doctors.Conclusions: Active age group male members in the family were more involved in self medication and high consultation fees of private doctors was the main reason for not consulting the doctor and practicing self medication.

scholarly journals Future Pharmacists’ Opinions on the Facilitation of Self-Care with Over-the-Counter Products and Whether This Should Remain a Core Role

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Lezley-Anne Hanna ◽  
Alana Murphy ◽  
Maurice Hall ◽  
Rebecca Craig
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Contraception ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Single Institution ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Medicines ◽  
Practice Methods ◽  
Identifiable Data

Background: The aim was to investigate pharmacy students’ views on the role of the pharmacist in facilitating self-care with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, particularly in light of new roles, and establish personal practice. Methods: Final year pharmacy students at Queen’s University Belfast were invited to participate. Data were collected via a pre-piloted questionnaire, distributed at a compulsory class (only non-identifiable data were requested). Descriptive statistics were performed, and non-parametric tests were employed for inferential statistical analysis (responses by gender). Results: The response rate was 87.6% (78/89); 34.6% (27/78) males and 65.4% (51/78) females. Over a third [34.6% (27/78)] reported using OTC medicines about once a month. All appreciated the importance of an evidence-based approach to optimize patient care. Most [(96.2% (75/78)] deemed OTC consultations should remain a fundamental responsibility of pharmacists and 69.2% (54/78) thought OTC consultations have the potential to be as complex as independent pharmacist prescribing. Females felt more confident recommending OTC emergency contraception than males (p = 0.002 for levonorgestrel and p = 0.011 for ulipristal acetate). Many [61.5% (48/78)] considered more medicines should not be deregulated from prescription-only status. Conclusions: Data from this single institution suggests that enabling self-medication is an important part of practice but there were confidence issues around deregulations.

scholarly journals Relationships between consumption patterns, health beliefs, and subjective wellbeing in Chinese Baijiu consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Ann Metcalf ◽  
Anthony Saliba ◽  
Kirsty McKenzie ◽  
Appy Gao
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Consumption Frequency ◽  
Social Meanings ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
Alcohol Reduction

Abstract Background Alcohol consumption in China has increased rapidly, and there have been calls for policies and programs to address the issue. Alcohol plays a complex and important role in Chinese culture, where it is considered a symbol of happiness and is associated with wellbeing. Alcohol reduction policies may fail unless they take these cultural and social meanings of alcohol, and its relationship to wellbeing into consideration. Baijiu is a clear fermented spirit that is widely consumed in China and has strong cultural associations with health, wellbeing and prosperity. There is a lack of research on how consumption patterns relate to cultural beliefs and subjective wellbeing. Methods An online survey of n = 1992 Chinese adults was conducted to determine frequency and volume of baijiu consumed; beliefs about health benefits and traditional importance; and associations with subjective wellbeing. Results Higher frequency and volume consumed were associated with higher subjective wellbeing, controlling for age and income. We also found small to medium significant associations between consumption frequency and volume and: belief that baijiu is healthy; and that tradition dictated they should drink baijiu. Conclusions The traditional and health values placed on baijiu, and its association with wellbeing, may help inform policy developments and alcohol reduction campaigns.

Understanding untreated hypertension from patients’ point of view: A qualitative study in rural Yogyakarta province, Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riana Rahmawati ◽  
Beata Bajorek
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
One Year ◽  
Untreated Hypertension

Objectives This study aimed to explore perspectives about hypertension from patients who do not take anti-hypertensive medications. Factors that shape their perspectives as well as patients’ expectations were also canvassed. Method Individual, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 people (≥45 years old) living in rural villages, diagnosed with hypertension, who had not taken any anti-hypertensive medications for at least one year. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results Four themes emerged: (1) alternative medicines for managing high blood pressure; (2) accessing health care services; (3) the need for anti-hypertensive medications; and (4) existing support and patients’ expectations. Reluctance to take anti-hypertensive medications was influenced by patients’ beliefs in personal health threats and the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive medications, high self-efficacy for taking alternative medicines, the lack of recommendation regarding hypertension treatment, and barriers to accessing supplies of medicines. Conclusion Despite their awareness of being diagnosed with hypertension, patients undervalued visiting a health professional to control their high blood pressure. Health strategies need to consider patients’ beliefs, concerns and expectations. Providing an accessible, affordable and adequate supply of hypertension medication is also key to any programs designed to optimise hypertension management.

scholarly journals Changes in Alcohol Consumption Pattern Based on Gender during COVID-19 Confinement in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8028
Author(s):  
Víctor J. Villanueva-Blasco ◽  
Verónica Villanueva Silvestre ◽  
Manuel Isorna ◽  
Patricia Motos ◽  
Pere Blay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Standard Drink ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Consumption Frequency ◽  
Employment Situation ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Health Risk Management

(1) The goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption (frequency of consumption, average daily consumption, and risky consumption) before and during confinement due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the adult population and based on gender. (2) Methods: Data from 3779 individuals were collected via a set of online surveys. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C) were used to measure the frequency of consumption, the average daily consumption, intensive consumption, risky consumption, and standard drink units. (3) Results: During confinement, the prevalence of alcohol consumption declined in both males and females, but only intensive consumption showed significant differences, with a greater reduction in males. The number of females who consumed alcohol four or more times per week doubled, whereas the number of males who did so was multiplied by a factor of 1.5; in both females and males, the percentage who presented intensive consumption doubled. The percentage of females with risky consumption was higher than that of males both before and during confinement. In addition to gender, the interaction between age and the employment situation explain consumption before and during confinement. (4) Conclusions: During confinement due to COVID-19, alcohol consumption declined in both sexes, but alcohol-risk consumers increased their frequency of use. The interaction between gender, age, and employment situation was related to these changes. These findings are relevant for guiding public health and health-risk management policies related to alcohol consumption in environmental situations similar to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Public perception of community pharmacists in South Africa: a preliminary study

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Bornman ◽  
Ilse Truter ◽  
Daniel JL Venter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Preliminary Study

This survey forms part of a study undertaken to identify and quantify the community pharmacist’s involvement in the use of non-prescription/over-the-counter (OTC) medicine/self-medication in community pharmacies throughout South Africa. Opsomming Hierdie opname vorm deel van ‘n studie wat onderneem word om die gemeenskapsapteker se betrokkenheid in die gebruik van nie-voorskrif/oor-die-toonbank medikasie/ selfmedikasie in gemeenskapsapteke in Suid Afrika te identifiseer en te kwantifiseer. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.

scholarly journals RESEARCH ON SELF MEDICATION: A HYPE OR A HOPE? A LITERATURE REVIEW.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Mythri Halappa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractMedications are one of the most important tools in public health practice. Since the 1980s, self‑medication is of prime public health importance as World Health Organization, in order to reduce the burden on health care professionals changed some prescription drugs to be sold over the counter. Each drug has its own advantages & disadvantages. Hence, always they have to be taken with caution. Considering this a recent trend has increased in surveying the prevalence of self medication. Hence, this review critically evaluated the studies to put a light on basic concept of self medication.Key words: Self medication, Drug abuse, Self care, Substance abuse, Antibiotic usage. 

scholarly journals Milk-Alkali Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Acute Renal Failure

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-65
Author(s):  
Azhar Ahmad ◽  
◽  
Rodney Dathan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Metabolic Alkalosis ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
H2 Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Ulcer Disease

Milk–alkali syndrome is described as a triad of hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis and renal impairment, resulting from the ingestion of calcium and absorbable alkali1. It was more common in the early part of the century when antacids were used for the symptomatic treatment of peptic ulcer disease. The use of antacids has since been overtaken by H2- receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors. More recently, there have been various case reports of milk-alkali syndrome due to the increasing use of calcium carbonate as part of the management of osteoporosis and chronic renal failure, and also the increasing availability of calcium carbonate ‘over the counter’. We describe a case of milk-alkali syndrome due to self-medication with calcium carbonate.

scholarly journals Behavior of Medical Students toward Over-the-Counter Drugs in Comparison to Students from Other Faculties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Professional Guidance

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.

scholarly journals Evaluate use of over the counter drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Megha Sood ◽  
Jagminder Kaur Bajaj ◽  
Nipunjot Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Care Teaching ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Abdominal Symptoms

Background: In our country there is easy availability of drugs over the counter leading to their unintentional misuse and abuse. Over the counter availability of drugs does offer the benefit of easy access to medicines and allows individuals to become in charge of their own health. It is important to understand that medical education can impact the OTC drug use amongst medical students. In order to observe the pattern of OTC drug use among the first and second professional MBBS students we planned this study. The aim of the study was to evaluate use of over the counter (OTC) drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: Our study was a cross sectional study conducted on first and second professional MBBS students. Authors administered a self structured, prevalidated questionnaire to the students. The data obtained was tabulated, analyzed and the results calculated in percentages.Results: The use of OTC drugs is common amongst undergraduate students.  All (100%) the students who participated in the study had used OTC drugs at some point in their life. The common conditions prompting use of OTC drugs include head ache, body aches (74%), fever (72%), respiratory conditions such as: cold (60%), cough (28.5%), abdominal symptoms such as: abdominal pain (14%), gastritis (7.5%), diarrhea (6%), vomiting (5%) and allergies (10%). Very few students reported adverse drug reactions with these drugs.Conclusions: From our study we have concluded that OTC drugs are commonly used amongst medical students. So, periodic training and talks on self medication are necessary for them. Student knowledge in this aspect will help them in future counseling of their patients.

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