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Assessment of Self-medication Practices among Adolescent Girls: School-based Study

Dr. Maharaj Singh

Abstract


Self-medication is a process of selection and use of non-prescribed medicines by individuals at their own initiatives to treat self-recognized illness or symptoms. It is practiced significantly worldwide in both developed and developing countries even through its type, extent and reasons for its practices may vary. A descriptive survey study was conducted to assess prevalence and pattern of self-medication practices among adolescent girls. The total 280 medical and non-medical adolescent girls of 11th and 12th class in the age group of 14–19 years were selected through purposive sampling technique from selected senior secondary schools of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The self-medication practices were assessed through structured self-medication practices questionnaire. The collected data were tabulated and analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that out of 280 adolescent girls, 164 (58.6%) practice self-medication and 116 (41.4%) do not practice self-medication. Most of the adolescent girls, i.e., 71.9% practiced allopathic system of medicine for minor health problems; the most common reason was quick relief in emergency health conditions. There was statistical significant association found between self-medication practices and class (x2=32.66, p=0.001), father education (x2=17.64, p=0.0004), family income (x2=17.94, p=0.001) and residential area (x2=6.41, p=0.04) of adolescent girls. The self-medication practices are highly prevailing among adolescent girls so there is dire need to make them aware about the pros and cons of self-medication in order to ensure safe usage of drugs.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37628/ijpn.v3i2.379

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