scholarly journals Medicine Usage Behavior among Common People of Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Author(s):  
Md. Monirul Islam ◽  
Md. Imran Nur Manik ◽  
Abu Zobayed ◽  
Fatema Tabassum ◽  
Furhatun Noor

Medication usage behavior of people is an important concern for health authorities worldwide. This study was aimed to find the prevalence of self-medication, perception about drug storage, dosage regimen, side effects and missing doses of prescribed medications among people of Bangladesh. The study also aimed at the different factors that regulate the above-mentioned behavior of people from different regions of the country. This cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire form that was distributed randomly among the people. A total of 1028 respondents took part in the survey. Different statistical operations were done on the responses and the results were presented were using tables and graphs. Among the participants, 31.52% often practiced self-medication and 26.94% did it rarely. There was a significant correlation between self-medication and educational qualification (p=0.023) and residence (p<0.001) variables. The tendency to not completing the dosage regimen is high in villages (44%) than urban (35%) and semi-urban (38%) areas. The rate of not recovering the missing doses is higher (40%) among the people with a low level of education than the educated people (27%). This study showed a significant correlation among medicines usage behavior and educational qualification and residential area of the participants. The policymakers should take steps to increase awareness about the safe use of medicines among common people of rural area.

Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-524
Author(s):  
Iftekhar Ahmed ◽  
Md Bodiuzzaman Rabbi ◽  
Marufa Rahman ◽  
Rehnuma Tanjin ◽  
Sharmin Jahan ◽  
...  

Bangladesh is a developing country with a very high prevalence of antibiotic resistance where irrational use of antibiotics is very common. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic usage behavior (Antibiotic use, self-medication, adherence to therapy) among the people of Bangladesh. The association between participants’ knowledge of antibiotics and their antibiotic usage behavior was also analyzed. A cross-sectional survey based on a structured questionnaire was conducted in the Dhaka district. The questionnaire included questions about demographic information, participants’ knowledge of antibiotics, and their recent antibiotic usage. The data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Very few participants knew that antibiotics are not effective against most common colds (16.8%), viruses (22.5%), and pains (41.7%). Most respondents (>75%) knew that excessive use of antibiotics and failing to complete a course may render antibiotics less effective in the future. However, only 56.1% were aware of antibiotic resistance. About half (46.6%) of the participants took antibiotics in the last six months, 20.5% of whom resorted to self-medication and 23.1% reported non-adherence to therapy. Greater knowledge of antibiotics was significantly associated with lower rates of self-medication (p=0.037). Misconceptions about antibiotics and antibiotic misuse are very common in Bangladesh. The findings suggest that misconceptions about antibiotics and antibiotic misuse are very common in Bangladesh. To mitigate these problems, interventions comprised of educational campaigns and redesigning of the healthcare system and policies should be undertaken. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2020, 6(3): 519-524


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Abu Bakar Siddique Jami

Abstract Background: Self-medication is the use of medicinal products by the consumer which is not prescribed by the physician or doctor. Self-medication practice (SMP) is widely adopted by the common people of developing countries like Bangladesh. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Aim & Objective: This study was conducted to learn about the knowledge and awareness level and to evaluate the practice and attitude towards self-medication among the common people of Bangladesh. Method: Primary data was collected by conducting an online survey with a well-constructed questionnaire. Data collection was carried out from May 2021 to June 2021. The subjects were minimum 15 years of age. From 35 districts of Bangladesh, total 322 people of different age groups, education levels, economic classes participated in the survey. Result: 71% (229) of the respondents were 21-25 years of age. 66% were undergraduate students. Most of them were from middle class society and well-educated. 80% of the population said that they had purchased or taken medicines without any prescription. 57% of them told they do not consider self-medication as a very safe practice although, 87% of the population had practiced self-medication at least once in the preceding year. Antipyretics (212), Analgesics (165), Drugs for Cold/Cough (197) and Anti-ulcer/Antacids (140) were the majority categories of medicines that were used mostly for self-medication. Nearly all (311) of them collects SMP medicine from Pharmacy shops. Previous prescription (146), Advice from family or friends (165) and Internet or other media (113) were their common sources of information for their self-medication practice. Conclusion: Self-medication practice is highly prevalent in Bangladesh. People are not aware enough about possible negative outcomes of it. Therefore, the regulatory laws should be implemented more strictly regarding buying and selling medicines


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1084-1090
Author(s):  
Kristian Franer ◽  
Hinta Meijerink ◽  
Susanne Hyllestad

Abstract Boil-water advisories (BWAs) are one of the several methods to prevent the spread of infectious diseases through contaminated water. However, for BWAs to be effective, consumers need to be aware of, understand and comply with the advisories. Although BWAs are a widely used preventive public health measure, compliance with BWAs is rarely examined. In Norway, only one previous study on compliance with BWAs has been conducted. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate consumers’ perception of and compliance with a BWA following a contamination incident at an elevated reservoir in Konnerud (population 10,314), Norway. In total, 2,451 of the 9,312 (26.3%) invited residents responded to the questionnaire. Among the respondents, 97.6% remembered receiving the BWA, of whom 94.6% complied with the advice. Effective compliance with the BWA was thus 92.3%. Only 130 (5.4%) respondents did not comply with the BWA. The main reason for non-compliance was perceived low or no risk of getting sick from the water (34.2%). Our study revealed high awareness of and compliance with the BWA, but the people who did not comply maintained several misconceptions about waterborne infections and transmission. The findings can be used by local health authorities to improve future BWAs.


Author(s):  
Geeta Rawat

Self-medication is very frequent and common among the people. Several side effects have been reported to be associated with inappropriate use of self-medication like risk of drug dependence, abuse, major drug interactions and adverse effects. The aim of this study is designed to assess knowledge on self-medication among students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in students of various department located in Ghaziabad, UP, India. A total of 200 students were enrolled and interviewed using prevalidated questionnaire on self-medication. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to represent the sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge levels. Association of various socio-demographic variables with Knowledge levels are determined using the Chi-square test. A total of 200 students are recruited in these 53(26.5%) diploma in pharmacy, 128 (64%) bachelor’s in pharmacy, 19 (9.7%) master’s in pharmacy. Among 200 respondents, 90 (45.2%) good knowledge on self-medication. Subject’s age, residential status, and occupation of their parents were significantly associated with knowledge and rational practice on self-medication with a P < 0.05.CONCLUSION: The study concludes there is lack of knowledge on responsible side effect of self-medication.


Author(s):  
Eman Elayeh ◽  
Amal Akour ◽  
Randa Haddadin

Background Lack of definitive cure for COVID-19 and the late introduction of a vaccine were responsible to push the general public to look for a remedy to treat or prevent COVID-19. The objective of this study was to evaluate patterns and factors that affect self-medication practices in Jordan during the pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire that was developed, piloted and distributed to the general public via various social media platforms. The questionnaire assessed the type of drugs and treatments used to self -medicate, the reasons behind their self- medication, and the factors affecting their practices. Results A total of 1179 participants (females 46.4%) with a mean age of 32 (SD=12.5) completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of the use of at least one product to treat or prevent COVID-19 was 80.4 %. The most commonly used products to self-medicate were vitamin C (57.6%), followed by paracetamol (51.9%), zinc (44.8%) and vitamin D (32.5%). Female gender (odds ratio [OR]) = 1.603, working in the medical field (OR =1.697), and history of COVID-19 infection (OR =2.026) were variables associated with self-medication. The most common sources of participants’ information about drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19 were newspapers (n=519, 44.0%), followed by pharmacists (43.4%), friends (33.8%) and internet searching such as Google (30.7%). Conclusion This study identified the main drugs and supplements used during COVID-19 and the motives behind their use. It also identified the most influential source of information on the public during the pandemic. Self-medication can lead to worsening of the patient’s health and delay seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals. Efforts should be done to help mitigate risks of self-medications by active involvement of pharmacists and other members of healthcare team to refute false claims about drug, especially in the media.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadia Biswas Mumu ◽  
Most Nasrin Aktar ◽  
Zabun Nahar ◽  
Shahana Sharmin ◽  
Md Shaki Mostaid

Objective: COVID-19 has emerged as a pandemic and during the first week of May Bangladesh has reported more than 10,000 cases. A lack of awareness and poor understanding of the disease may result in rapid transmission of the disease in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, perception, and attitude towards COVID-19 among Bangladeshi medical doctors. Method: This cross sectional, web-based study was conducted with the help of an online questionnaire and sent to the doctors which comprised of a series of questions regarding demographics of the participants, symptoms and incubation period of COVID-19, mode of transmission, measures to prevent transmission, availability of training and personal protective equipment in Bangladeshi hospitals, and attitude of doctors towards the treatment of suspected patients with COVID-19. Results: Of 800 medical doctors, a total 545 completed the survey (response 68.13%). Among the participants, 52.3% were females, 72.8% were below 30 years of age, and majority (52.8%) were working outside the cities in the villages and rural areas. A total of 404 (74.1%) doctors reported the correct incubation period of COVID-19. Majority doctors were aware of the symptoms with mode of transmission of COVID-19, measures to prevent hospital transmission, along with ways of identifying suspected patients with COVID-19. However, more than 90% of the doctors reported of inadequate intensive care unit and ventilator facilities along with extreme scarcity of personal protective equipment in the hospitals. 65.7% doctors prefer avoid working with a COVID-19 patient and more than 50% doctors have expressed that they would send the suspected COVID-19 patients to designated hospitals without providing treatment. Conclusion: The health authorities should take appropriate training measures to increase the awareness of the medical doctors along with providing sufficient amount of personal protective equipment for the medical doctors and supporting staff before deploying them in hospitals.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (04) ◽  
pp. 513-521
Author(s):  
SHAHBAZ BAIG

Introduction: Obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of physician either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillanceis called Self medication. Self medication has been a natural tendency of mankind at all times to relief their discomfort. Objectives: To assessthe self medication practices and the factors influencing self medication practices among the people living in Ghulam Mohammad Abad,Faisalabad. Study design: A Descriptive Cross -Sectional Study. Setting: Population of Ghulam Mohammad Abad, largest colony ofFaisalabad. Material & methods: By simple random technique a sample of 369 people living in Ghulam Mohammad Abad were selected. A pre-tested questionnaire was filled by interviewing each individual. Results: Prevalence of self medication found in study group was 61.20%. Anincrease pattern of self medication practices were found in the younger age group (15-35 years) which were 64.8 %. Self medication practicewas found more in male (64.5%) as compared to female (58.5%). The unmarried persons as compared to married were involved 8% more in selfmedication. Similarly 11% increase pattern of self medication was observed amongst the respondents belonging to nuclear family (66.9%) ascompared to extended type of family status (55.9%). There were 13.60% more practices of self medication in urban population (64.2%) ascompared to rural (50.6%) and self medication was observed in illiterate (50.4%) and in matric level education (62.3%) and persons havingeducation above matric (74.4%). The prevalence of self medication was more among skilled labor (75.9%) as compared to (54.9%) in unskilledlabor. Conclusions: An increase pattern of self medication practices were found in the younger age group. As for as the gender is concerned itis more in the male as compared to female. Unmarried persons as compared to married persons were involved more in self medication. It ismore in persons belonging to nuclear family status and also more in urban population as compared to rural population. Furthermore uneducatedand respondents having education up to matric are more involve in self-medication practice. Advice of person selling medicine at medical storewere having more affect on self medication. No reason for the use of drugs and un–affordability are also the determinants of increased selfmedication.


Author(s):  
Joana Meneses Martins ◽  
Liliana Gavinha Costa ◽  
Ana Lidia Carvalho ◽  
Maria Conceição Manso ◽  
Sandra Gavinha ◽  
...  

Background: The objective was to determine if asymmetric facial features, nasal and chin deviations, affect the perception of attractiveness of a dental midline angulation, and if it is consistent among both dentists and laypeople. It was also analyzed if factors, such as the sex, age group of the participants and the dentist’s area of operation are relevant in their assessment. Methods: A cross-sectional study, approved by the Ethics Committee of Fernando Pessoa University. From a symmetrical facial model (SFM) image, a natural-looking asymmetrical face was created. Based on this asymmetric facial model six images were created, with different directions and degrees of inclination of the dental midline. In total, 236 laypersons and 242 dentists completed the online questionnaire where they rated the self-perception of attractiveness of the eight images (VAS scale from 0 to 10). Non-parametric comparisons (IBM© SPSS Statistics vs. 27.0, p < 0.05). Results: The results showed a significant difference in the perception of attractiveness between laypeople and dentists. This finding was consistent regarding every image, except for the SFM. The factors, sex of the people participating and dentist’s area of operation, seemed only to contribute to a significant difference in the perception when it came to the SFM. The perceived attractiveness of the images, for dentists and laypersons, did not differ by age group of the participant, apart from images 6 and 8. Conclusions: Dentists are more rigorous about dental midline inclinations than laypersons. The perception of attractiveness was affected by the age group and sex of the participants and the dentist’s area of operation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 3076-3079
Author(s):  
Ibtesam-E- Fajar ◽  
Hina Aslam ◽  
Nimra Ijaz ◽  
Daniyal Ahmed ◽  
Amna Sarfraz ◽  
...  

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc throughout the world, with 150 million cases to date and over 3 million lives claimed worldwide Objectives: To assess the immediate side effects of Covid-19 vaccination among the people of Pakistan Study Design: Randomized, descriptive cross-sectional study Methodology: Present study was carried out using an online questionnaire by enrolling 17040 subjects. Inclusion/Exclusion criteria: All citizens of Pakistan over the age of 12, who were eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination were enrolled. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 25 in terms of frequencies and percentages. Results: In present study, results showed that 76% subjects were vaccinated. Among them 64% received Sinopharm, 30% Sinovac, 0.7% Pfizer, 0.5% Astrazeneca, 2.8% Moderna, 0.8% Cansino, 0.3% PakVac and 0.1% Sputnik V. Most participants (66%) suffered no symptoms post vaccination. Only 15% developed fever, 7% dizziness, 5% vomiting, 4% pain at injection site, 2% headache and 1% fatigue. After vaccination, 1% had a re-infection and 99% so far have not caught Covid-19. Among all participants, 87% found the vaccine safe, 7% were neutral and 5% found it unsafe. Conclusion: We concluded that most Pakistanis have received the Chinese vaccine i.e. Sinopharm. Majority individuals have experienced either no to mild or few moderate type of adverse effects following immunization irrespective of the age and gender that can be easily managed at home. Key Words: COVID-19, Vaccination, Awareness and Adverse Effec


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