Self-medication behaviors among Japanese consumers: sex, age, and SES differences and caregivers’ attitudes toward their children’s health management

Abstract

BackgroundSince 2009, when the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act was enacted in Japan, self-medication practices have increased. Because the concept of self-medication was recently introduced in Japan, few studies exist on this topic. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how self-medication is practiced. This study examined Japanese consumers’ self-medication practices and attitudes toward over-the-counter (OTC) medicines based on their sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES).MethodsThe participants were 403 adults (Mage = 41.1 years, SD = 16.22). A quota sampling method was employed based on age group, and participants completed an online questionnaire.ResultsParticipants in the 20–29 age group reported medical costs as an obstacle in seeing a doctor; in contrast, transportation was a mitigating factor for elderly people. Regarding SES, people at lower SES levels chose to rest instead of seeing a doctor or purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) medicines when sick. They also placed more value on national brand OTC medicines than private brands (likely due to advertisements). This finding suggests individuals with a low SES do not select OTC medicines based on their effects or ingredients. Regarding attitudes toward OTC medicines, Japanese participants seemed to be unaware of the potential for abuse and side effects associated with OTC medicines. Finally, in relation to caregivers’ self-medication practices for their children, the majority of participants reported taking their children to the hospital since children tend to receive free medical care. Furthermore, caregivers with a high educational background are more confident in being able to help manage their children’s health.ConclusionsOur results suggest that health and medical discrepancies among Japanese consumers pose new social problems. In Japan, universal health care is available, but the cost of receiving medical care is not completely free of charge. Thus, we hope that the government will attempt to meet the various needs of patients and support their well-being. Consumers also have to be more independent and aware of their health management, as self-medication practices will continue to play a more significant role in healthcare. More research is needed to find ways to teach Japanese consumers/patients of both the benefits and risks of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Antibiotic Use and Misuse Among Adults in Magwagwa Ward, Nyamira County in Kenya

“…Findings of my study agree with a study in Tanzania by (Monjeza et al,2013).These findings differ with studies elsewhere in which the respondents have a negative attitude towards self-medication. This negative attitude is in harmony with studies in Egypt by (Ezz, 2011) and in Japan by (Aoyama et al, 2012). Studies by Mansour (2015) revealed that more than half of the respondents (60%) were neutral.…”

Prevalence of Parental Self Medication and Its Possible Effect to Their Children in Al-Madinah , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“…These results are consistent with another study in Saudi Arabia reported that 53.8% of the parents practiced self-medication in their children [29].This proportions consistent with the global variation of prevalence of self-medication which has been reported by various studies to range between 30-70% [30]. The reasons for such huge global variation many be numerous including different methods used for collecting information, availability of free medical care for children in the public sector hospitals in some countries [31]. Also cultural, social and educational factors have been shown to affect self-medication [29].…”

“…These results differed with study from UK found that parents were generally unaware of potential side effects of OTC medicines because they believed that "over-the-counter medicines are not strong and were unlikely to harm their child," [34]. And study from Japan reported little awareness about adverse effects of non-prescription medicines among participants [35].This difference is due to different at sociodemographic indicators in different countries.…”

Self-Medication Trends in Children by Their Parents

“…Cough, flu, vomiting and diarrhoea were also among the common ailments. In other studies, above mentioned conditions were also reported as most common symptoms in children for which parents practiced self-medication [13,29]. Majority of the medicines used by parents were antipyretics, cough and cold preparations, antimicrobials and antiemetics.…”