Self-Medication Among Children and Adolescents

Pfaffenbach, Grace; Tourinho, Francis Solange Vieira; Bucaretchi, Fábio

doi:10.2174/157488610792246028

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…[6] Many studies in different countries also showed that the prevalence of self-medication in children and adolescent was high. [7891011121314151617] Although health services are free in Kuwait, the high prevalence of self-medication could be due to the high living standard and the availability of large varieties of drugs in the market. In the present study, self-medication decreased with age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist

2014

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Objective:The practice of self-medication is growing world-wide. It is associated with problems that may lead to potentially life-threatening complications represent a priority to be investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate medical students and to evaluate the possible role of the pharmacist in self-medication in Kuwait.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, using the questionnaire on a sample of 900 male and female students randomly selected from three health faculties in Kuwait. The prevalence of self-medication, as well as the contribution of pharmacist in self-medication was assessed. In addition, the role of the pharmacist as drug consultant for the students after getting the medication was evaluated.Findings:The overall prevalence of self-medication was 97.8%. The age was significantly inversely proportional to self-medication. There was a significant difference between male and female students in self-medication practice. Headache was the highest health conditions that most frequently motivated self-medication with 90.1% prevalence, followed by 84.7% for dysmenorrhea and 60.3% for constipation. Contribution of the pharmacist as a part of self-medication care was low totally, with the highest rate for cough conditions 40.1%. However, the role of the pharmacist as a drug consultant was more noticeable after obtaining the drug, not before. Around 80.1% of the students request information from the pharmacist about doses, duration of treatments and side-effects.Conclusion:The prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate students in Kuwait is high and there were significant differences for age and gender. The contribution of the pharmacist was low in self-medication, while it was high after getting the drugs for obtaining drug related information. The practice of self-medication is alarming. Improved awareness about the role of pharmacist as a drug consultant for careful and cautious use of medicines available for self-medication would be strongly recommended.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist

2014

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“…Self-medication includes sharing prescribed medications with friends and family members who did not have that drug prescribed to them, using remaining drugs from previous prescriptions, or non-compliance with the prescribed medication by extending the duration of its usage or interrupting the dosage (Pfaffenbach, Tourinho, & Bucaretchi, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Causes of Self Medication among Medical Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Zardosht¹,

Dastoorpoor

Hashemi³

et al. 2016

GJHS

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Background: Self-medication is a public health concern because of drug misuse/abuse and its medical, social and psychological problems.Aim: Given the growing prevalence of self-medication, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of self-medication among students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Method:This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 550 students who were selected through multistage sampling from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, in southeast Iran. Data was collected through a self-report questionnaire. Test-retest reliability and content validity of this questionnaire were confirmed. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics via t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results:The prevalence of self-medication among students was 50.2%. The most common cause of self-medication was related to students' knowledge about the diseases and medications (58.7%). The majority of drugs consumed arbitrarily included cough and cold medications (94.5%); analgesics (89.9%); antihistamines (80.0%); herbal drugs and distillates (78.9%); vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements and energizers (71.5%); antibiotics (61.8%); and gastrointestinal drugs (54.9%), respectively. The most common illness that led to self-medication was the common cold (95.4%), and the most important source of information regarding self-medication was the students' own scientific knowledge of medical drugs (80.6%). Conclusion:Due to the adverse effects of self-medication, drug dependency, and microbial resistance and the relatively high prevalence of self-medication among students in this study, it would be advisable to organize awareness campaigns to further educate students about self-medication.

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“…This can include the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available without a physician's prescription through pharmacies (1,2), the irregular use of a prescribed drug, typically in chronic or intermittent diseases, or the use of leftover drugs from previous prescriptions. It also includes the use of a wide range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as herbal medicines (herbs or herbal preparations), nutritional supplements, traditional products, and home remedies (3,4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

256 Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants

El-Nimr

Wahdan

et al. 2015

Easter Mediterr Health J

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This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern and reasons for self-medication among adults in Alexandria, Egypt. In a community-based survey during 2012, a representative sample of 1100 adults completed a predesigned interview questionnaire on self-medication practices by drugs and complementary or alternative medicines (CAM). A majority of them practised self-medication (86.4%), mostly using both drugs and CAM (77.5%). The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (96.7%), and cough and cold preparations (81.9%), but 53.9% of respondents reported self-medication with antibiotics. The most frequently used CAM were herbs (91.6%), followed by spiritual healing (9.4%) and cupping and acupuncture (6.4%). CAM improved the condition according to 95.2% of users. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, occupation and the presence of chronic conditions were the independent factors significantly affecting the practice of self-medication with drugs. ‫ـري.‬ ‫بالعقاقـ‬ ‫ـذايت‬ ‫الـ‬ ‫ـب‬ ‫التطبيـ‬ ‫ـة‬ ‫ممارسـ‬ ‫ـى‬ ‫عـ‬ ‫ـري‬ ‫كبـ‬ ‫ـكل‬ ‫بشـ‬ ‫ـر‬ ‫تؤثـ‬ ‫ـي‬ ‫التـ‬ ‫ـتقلة‬ ‫املسـ‬ ‫ـل‬ ‫العوامـ‬ ‫ـت‬ ‫كانـ‬ ‫ـة‬ ‫مزمنـ‬ ‫ـراض‬ ‫أمـ‬ ‫ـود‬ ‫ووجـ‬ ‫ـة‬ ‫واملهنـ‬ ‫ـر‬ ‫العمـ‬Automédication avec recours aux médicaments conventionnels, complémentaires et alternatifs à Alexandrie (Égypte) : prévalence, tendances et déterminants RÉSUMÉ La présente étude avait pour objectif de décrire la prévalence, les tendances ainsi que les motifs de l'automédication chez des adultes à Alexandrie (Égypte). Dans une enquête communautaire en 2012, un échantillon représentatif de 1100 adultes a répondu à un questionnaire prédéfini au cours d'un entretien sur leurs pratiques d'automédication à base de médicaments conventionnels, complémentaires et alternatifs. Une majorité d'entre eux pratiquait l'automédication (86,4 %), et la plupart consommait à la fois des médicaments conventionnels et des médicaments complémentaires et alternatifs (77,5 %). Les médicaments conventionnels les plus utilisés étaient les analgésiques (96,7 %), et les préparations contre la toux et le rhume (81,9 %), tandis que 53,9 % des répondants indiquaient consommer des antibiotiques en automédication. Dans la catégorie de la médecine complémentaire et alternative, le recours aux médicaments à base de plantes (91,6 %) arrivait en tête, suivi par les soins spirituels (9,4 %), l'application de ventouses et l'acupuncture (6,4 %). La consommation de médicaments complémentaires et alternatifs permet d'améliorer l'état de santé selon 95,2 % des utilisateurs. L'analyse de régression logistique a révélé que l'âge, l'emploi occupé et la présence de maladies chroniques étaient les facteurs indépendants qui influaient significativement sur la pratique de l'automédication à base de médicaments conventionnels. ‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫العرشون‬ ‫و‬ ‫احلادي‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫الرابع‬ ‫العدد‬ 257

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Self-Medication Among Children and Adolescents

Cited by 24 publications

References 21 publications

Self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist

Self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist

Prevalence and Causes of Self Medication among Medical Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

256 Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants

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