Prevalence of self-medication among adult patients suffering from dental pain

Abstract

Introduction: Self- medication is commonly practiced all over the world. Several risks like misdiagnosis, drug resistance or increased pathogen resistance, use of drugs in excessive amounts, use of expired drugs, long time use, drug interactions and poly-pharmacy occur in self-medicating people. Aim: to determine the prevalence of self medication and to determine factors associated with these practices in adult patients suffering from dental pain. Methods: It was an observational cross sectional survey. After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria’s, a total of 200 participants were included in the present study. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was developed by reviewing different studies and necessary changes in the questionnaire were made accordingly after performing a pilot study. As the participant filled the questionnaire he/she was counselled regarding self-medication and the completed questionnaire, was collected. After collection of data it was checked for omissions and mistakes and the results were tabulated and analysed. Results: 178 (89%) were self medicated. 84(47.2%) were males and 94(52.8%) were females. The age of the patients varied between 18-60 years and majority belonged to the age group of 25-35years. 86 (48.3%) of the respondents had attained higher level of education. 96 (51.3%) of the patients self-medicated because of pain which was in some cases unbearable. Most common source of self-medication in our study sample was family/friend advice (42.6%), followed by pharmacist (21.3%). Maximum of 97(54.4%) self-medicated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/ painkillers. 129(72.4%) of the participants were not aware of the harmful effects of self-medication, Conclusion: We observed high prevalence of self-medication in our study. The people should be educated about the dangers of indiscriminate use of drugs. Drug control policy needs to be intensified in the community as well regarding prescription and availability of drugs.