Knowledge, attitude, and prevention of self-medication practices among the general population of Gujarat
Open accessAbstract
Objectives: The practice of self-medication (SM) without consulting a health-care professional among the populace of both developed and developing countries like India may lead to a delay in therapeutic effectiveness. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of SM among the general population of Gujarat. Material and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 488 participants between April 2021 and May 2021 to evaluate the several aspects of SM. In April 2021, this study was conducted on both the genders of 18–80 years of urban and rural areas of Gujarat. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. The data presented in the form of percentages using tables and figures. The responses were collected and analyzed using GraphPad v.8 and Microsoft Excel for percentage and statistical significance. Results: Prevalence of SM was 78.3%. It was found to be practiced more among the younger age group (55.32%) than the older. Graduates practiced SM more than the others (P < 0.004). Significant association was found between its practice and residency (P < 0.03), marital status (P < 0.003), education (P < 0.004), and occupation (P < 0.0007). Fever, cough, and cold were the most common conditions noted for SM practice followed by headache. It was noticed that 63.5% participants were procured medications from pharmacy. Multivitamins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics were the most frequent medications used by participants. Conclusion: The prevalence of SM is alarming which causes serious health issues and needs an intervention. Planning of health awareness programs, educating people, and pharmacists are necessary for promoting rational use of medication.
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Pharmacists are commonly consulted for guidance on self-medication due to their accessibility and perceived expertise.
“Pharmacists are commonly consulted for guidance due to their accessibility and perceived expertise.30,31”
From Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
The Results report that 63.5% of respondents sought a pharmacist’s help by describing their symptoms, and the Discussion suggests easy accessibility as a reason for obtaining drugs from pharmacies. Neither passage identifies pharmacists’ perceived expertise as a reason they were consulted. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAntibiotics are often self-administered to treat minor infections, despite the risks of antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects associated with inappropriate use.
“Similarly, antibiotics are often self-administered to treat minor infections, despite the risks of antimicrobial resistance and adverse effects associated with inappropriate use.31,39”
From Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
The Results report that antibiotics were the most self-medicated drugs and that cough, cold, and fever were common reasons for self-medication. The Discussion links antimicrobial self-medication to adverse drug reactions and antimicrobial resistance. Neither passage establishes that respondents used antibiotics specifically to treat minor infections; page numbers were not supplied. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIndividuals may depend on their knowledge of medicines acquired through past experiences or general awareness.
“Additionally, individuals may depend on their knowledge of medicines acquired through past experiences or general awareness.26,31”
From Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
Individuals rely on various sources for information on self-medication, including pharmacists, friends, family members, relatives, previous prescriptions, and their knowledge of medicines.
“Individuals rely on various sources for information on self-medication, including pharmacists, friends, family members, relatives, previous prescriptions, and their knowledge of medicines.”
From Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [31]
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Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Chaudhary, V., Kumari, S., Sharma, B., Ahuja, C., Kishore, H., & Pal, B. (2025) · Medical Journal Armed Forces India · doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2024.11.008 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Shah, H., & Arora, B.
- Affiliations
- Department of Pharmacology, SAL Institute of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India,
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SAL Institute of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India,
- Corresponding author
- Shah, Hital
- Venue
- Indian Journal of Medical Sciences
- Publisher
- Scientific Scholar
- Published
- 2021-11-22
- Volume
- 74
- Pages
- 22-26
- ISSN
- 0019-5359 (ISSN-L)
- 1998-3654
- OpenAlex
- W3216672697
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 0.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- Indian Journal of Medical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacy and Medical Practices
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Keywords
- self-medication, knowledge, attitudes and practices, rational drug use, prevalence of self-medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, multivitamins, urban-rural differences, Gujarat
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