A SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF SELF MEDICATION IN PUNE REGION

Background: Paucity of drug related information and easy accessibility to over-the-counter drugs has contributed to the high incidence of self-medication. Strict regulations regarding drug dispensing and community awareness of related issues is need of the hour. Aim: To do the Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices about self medication in medical, non medical and patients group in Pune region. Methods: This questionnaire based study was carried out in postgraduate medical students, non-medical graduate students and patients. Results: 30 from each group-Postgraduate medical students, non-medical graduate students and patients participated in the study. All of the post graduate medical students and non-medical graduate students self medicate, 90% of patients self medicate. The reason for self medication of 87% of post-graduate students is convenience and that form on-medical graduate students and patients is commonly cost saving. Conclusion: Media and pharmacists play an important role in decision of self-medication in lesser educated population; this can be modified into an advantage by utilizing it for creating awareness about the growing antibiotic resistance in the society amongst the common population and also making them aware of certain drug schedules of primary concern to them. The awareness needs to be created in the common population, that certain patient sub-groups e.g. Patients on polypharmacy, pregnant patients, those with liver/kidney disorders and extremes of age should possibly consult a physician before self-medicating even with OTC for safety concerns. Therefore future research may be needed to study the outcome of such patient education and its impact.