Survey on common trends for non-prescribed medication use among the young generation in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Use of drugs without prescription is a worldwide phenomenon especially among the general people in the developing countries. Alarmingly the use of medication without prescriptions among the young generations for longer duration is increasing day by day. The study was meant to evaluate the prevalence of non-prescribed medications among the young generations living in the capital of Bangladesh.Methods: It was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) from September-November, 2019. Data was collected from patients having self-administration of drugs with semi-structured questionnaire in English and analysed applying descriptive statistics.Results: The study revealed the occurrence of non-prescription medication use among 75% of the respondents (N=400). The participants were students (67%), service holder (19%) and housewife (9%). Male and female were 49% and 51%; aged between 15-35 years (average 25.8 years). Mostly used medication groups were NSAIDs (34%), antacids (24%) and antibiotics (17%). Duration was more than one year 206 (69%) and from six to twelve months 94 (31%). The compliance reported as better (62.33%) and extremely good (34.33%). The crucial diseases treated were fever (27.73%), gastric acidity (22.13%), headache and other pains (15.13%), dysentery and diarrhea (8.68%) and allergy (8.40%). Interestingly 42% participants suggested their medication to others.Conclusions: In the young generation occurrence of non-prescribed medication is highest amidst the students. The authority should assure rational use of medications. The DGDA may campaign against the haphazard use of medicines involving the young generations.

Knowledge attitude and convenience on self-medication practices among university students in Bangladesh exploration using structural equation modeling approach

“…The third part ( Code: PR-3 ) includes questions about the drugs used for self-medication, with 10 different medicine groups most frequently used worldwide 57 , 58 (Supplementary Table 4 ). The researcher incorporated a 5-point Likert scale to measure the practice of consuming those medicines without a prescription.…”

“…Similarly, knowledge about the eight most commonly consumed medicine groups 57 , 58 was assessed using a five-point Likert scale score ranging from 10 to 40. The reliability among these eight items was within the recommended level (Cronbach’s α = 0.891) along with CFA displayed an overall good fit (CMIN/df = 5.535, RMSEA = 0.052, CFI = 0.982, TLI = 0.954).…”

Prevalence and determinants of antibiotics self-medication among indigenous people of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

“…29 30 An investigation in Dhaka revealed that 75% of the people polled used over-the-counter drugs, of which 16.90% were antibiotics. 31 It is necessary to address the situation in low-income nations, including Bangladesh, to enhance the overall health impact, given that majority of the world's population resides in these countries. 32 Bangladesh is a densely populated country where 1.8% of the total population comprises indigenous people living in the rural areas of Chittagong, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi.…”

“…SMA was shown to be relatively frequent among the people who lived in rural parts of Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi, according to cross-sectional studies that were conducted among participants who lived in those locations 29 30. An investigation in Dhaka revealed that 75% of the people polled used over-the-counter drugs, of which 16.90% were antibiotics 31. It is necessary to address the situation in low-income nations, including Bangladesh, to enhance the overall health impact, given that majority of the world’s population resides in these countries 32…”

“… 29 30 An investigation in Dhaka revealed that 75% of the people polled used over-the-counter drugs, of which 16.90% were antibiotics. 31 It is necessary to address the situation in low-income nations, including Bangladesh, to enhance the overall health impact, given that majority of the world’s population resides in these countries. 32 …”