Risk factors associated with self-medication among the indigenous communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background In developing countries like Bangladesh, self-medication has become a predicament associated with health risks and clinical complications. To date, no studies have been conducted on the practice of self-medication among the indigenous population living in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT). Objectives This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and analyzing the factors associated with it among the indigenous population in CHT. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from late October to early December 2020; among different indigenous group populations residing in the three districts of CHT aged 18 or more. A pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, frequency of self-medication, reasons for self-medication in last one year, as well as other variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess associated factors with self-medication. Results A total of 1350 people from different indigenous populations were interviewed, among whom 49.9% practiced self-medication. The rate of self-prescribed antibiotics usage (80.9%) was significantly higher compared to other drugs. Self-prescribed medications were mostly used for diarrhea and food poisoning (60.6%), cough, cold and fever (51.4%), and headache (51.4%). A common source of self-prescribed medicines was community or retail pharmacy and the most reported reason for self-prescribed medication was the long-distance of healthcare facilities from home. Conclusion The prevalence of self-medication is substantially high among indigenous people and the effect is alarming. Particular concern is the misuse of antibiotics and analgesic drugs. Increasing awareness among the population of the negative effect of self-medication and implementation of proper policies and actions are urgently needed to prevent self-medication among indigenous population in Bangladesh.

Self-Medication of Prescription Only Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs among Households in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…Non consultation of medical personnel and selfmedication may seem successful in the management of ailments that may look minor, but the temporal relief gained by selfmedicating may outweigh the benefit of consulting medical personnel. This is evidenced in the consequence of self-medication which could be under and over-dosage, treatment failure, delay in care-seeking, masking of more serious health issues by NSAID used for selfmedication and aggravating existing illnesses and diseases [19,20]. Access to affordable health services have created challenges in public health and as such there is need to improve accessibility and affordability of medical care to health seekers so that they do not resort to self-medication and medical information from unprofessional sources.…”

Prevalence and determinants of self-medication practices among general population: A cross-sectional study in Thimphu, Bhutan and Chattogram, Bangladesh

“…In Chattogram, the sample size was calculated at 385 people, based on a 49.9% prevalence rate of self-medication, a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. 22 Finally, 275 participants from Thimphu and 723 participants from Chattogram were included in this study.…”

Self-Medication Prevalence and Factors Associated with Knowledge and Attitude Towards Self-Medication Among Undergraduate Health Science Students at GAMBY Medical and Business College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

“…For the SM practice evaluating questions, respondents were asked to answer one most common (prioritized) answer from the given alternatives. The questionnaire was modeled from those used in previous studies [37][38][39] and it was tested on a population of thirty students, and all ambivalent and unclear questions were rephrased or removed. The relevant data were collected by group members of the study after taking the consent from the participants using a printed paper-based questionnaire.…”

“…Hence, the government bodies, notably the Ministry of Health, should implement awareness raising initiatives among the rural people about the dangers of SM. 38 The Pattern of Self-Medication Practice Common Illness and Medications for Self-Medication Medications for pain management were the most frequently used among others followed by antimicrobial drugs. Whereas, disease perceptions related with headache and coughing were the commonly self-treated medical conditions.…”