Pattern and practice of self medication among adults in an urban community of West Bengal

INTRODUCTION: Self-medication is the obtainment and consumption of drugs without a physician’s advice, in any stage of disease management. Indiscriminate practice of self-medication, which is common in developing countries like India, often leads to dangerous unwarranted adverse effects, ultimately increasing cost burden due to health care. The aim of this study was to assess self-medication practice and its reasons among study participants. METHODS: Eligible residents of the urban field practice area of a Kolkata-based medical college were interviewed using a predesigned and pretested data collection schedule. RESULTS: Among 170 participants, 98 (57.7%) were found to have practiced self-medication; 39.8% of them were aged between 28 and 37 years, the majority being females (57.1%). Lack of felt need to visit a registered medical practitioner was the most common reason (34.7%) cited behind practicing self-medication. All (100.0%) self-medicating participants checked expiry date before use; pain suppressing medications were the most commonly used (46.9%). Pharmacies were the commonest source of knowledge for medicinal use (64.3%). The less educated tended to self-medicate more than those with a higher level of education (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study found the majority of its respondents to be practicing self-medication. Stringent implementation of law and increasing community awareness regarding the ill effects of self-medication is therefore necessary.