Prevalence and Associated Factors in Practice of Self-Medication in Urban Slums of Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

Abstract
Background: The assessment of prevalence rate, determinants, reasons and major ailments due to self medication is a
matter of vital importance for vulnerable social groups like slum dwellers in view of the high risk involved.
Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study among 305 randomly selected urban slums adults were conducted at
Udaipur, Rajasthan by collecting data using semi-structured questionnaire to analyze the factors, determinants reasons
and major ailments for self medication. The descriptive statistical measures, frequencies and chi-square test of significance
for association were used.
Results: The estimated overall prevalence of self medication was 59.0% with 69.0% for male and 50.0 % for female of urban
slum adults. The sex, age, education level, type of family and family income were found significantly associated with self
medication (p<0.05). The main sources of information for self-medication were the chemist in medical shops (42.95%)
and different forms of advertisements (22.62%). More than 90% practicing respondents felt saving of time, easiness and
economical benefit as major reasons for self medication. The common ailments for self medication practices included fever
(25.0%), headache (23.33%), cough and cold (17.22%), diarrhea (15.55%), pain (11.11%) and sleeplessness (16.7%).
Conclusion: Community specific strategies with stringent legal measures would be required to encounter the problem of
self medication by vulnerable groups like slum dwellers.