ABSTRACT
Background: Self-prescribing among doctors is common. But the General Medical Council (GMC) and American Medical Council recommend that doctors should avoid prescribing for themselves, and close family members. Self-prescribing can lead to serious consequences. The present study reports the prevalence and pattern of self-prescribing among doctors working in various healthcare facilities of Kashmir Valley.Methods: Pre-validated questionnaires were sent to 200 doctors selected by convenience sampling. Only 184 returned the completely filled questionnaires.Results: At which 95.7% male doctors and 97.8% female doctors were self-prescribing. 100% doctors above the age of 40 years were self-prescribing. 100% post graduate students and consultants were practicing self-prescribing. 98.0% of those active as doctors for 1-5 years and 95.1% of those active for more than five years were self-prescribing. 60.7% doctors cited convenience, 40.4% time saving, 27.0% quick relief, 60.7% confidence, 14.6% low cost of treatment, and 15.7% crowd avoidance as a reason for self-prescribing. Major diseases self-treated were: headache (78.7%), respiratory symptoms (79.8%), fever (53.9%) and pain syndromes (31.5%). Major drugs used were: analgesics (80.9%), antipyretics (68.5%), antibiotics (58.4%), decongestants (49.4%) and antispasmodics (33.7%).Conclusions: The observed prevalence of self-prescribing was very high in this study. The issue of self-prescribing is common and requires attention.
ABSTRACT
Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is a global problem and increases the risk of antibiotic resistance which impacts morbidity and mortality.Methods: A total of 180 Medical students and the same number of people from general population were given a pre-validated questionnaire. The total respondents were 168 among general population and 173 among medical students. Results: 21.42% respondents from general population and 82.08% medical students practiced antibiotic self-medication. 66.66% respondents from general population practiced antibiotic self- medication to save time and money. 57.04% medical students had previous experience of treating similar symptoms.83.33% respondents from general population and 89.43% medical students used antibiotics to treat fever, cough, cold, sore throat and similar symptoms. 50.00% respondents from general population consulted the chemist/pharmacist before using the antibiotics.38.02% students consulted their textbooks for drug information. Only 16.66% respondents from general population and 24.64% students continued the antibiotics till full recovery.Conclusions: Antibiotic self- medication is more prevalent among medical students as compared to general population. Medical students need to be targeted repeatedly during their education and be taught the value of using antibiotics with caution. Public awareness and strict enforcement of law to control the sale of antibiotics without a valid prescription are needed to minimize antibiotic self- medication and associated risks.
ABSTRACT
Background: Quality of life (QOL) is a broad, multidimensional concept that usually includes subjective evaluations of both positive and negative aspects of life. Very few studies have been carried out on QOLIE 31 in India and research in this area will identify factors affecting QOL. study was therefore conducted to determine the level of health related QOL of patients of epilepsy in a tertiary care teaching hospital. To evaluate patterns of the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and their impact on the Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy.Methods: The study was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted by the Department of Pharmacology in association with the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar. A total number of 134 patients, aged >18 years were studied for a period of one and a half years, January 2015-July 2016. QOLIE?31 questionnaire was used for collecting data on health?related QOL.Results: The mean overall QOLIE-31 score was 53 corresponding to a t-score of 44. Amongst the QOLIE-31 subscales, the highest mean score was the cognitive subscale (73.6) followed by medication effects (55.5) and social functions (52).Conclusions: It is evident from our study that there are many factors that influence QOL of people with epilepsy. Among them, type of drug therapy plays an important role. Adding clinical counselling and other interventions to address the physical, mental, psychological, social, and emotional aspects of health wellbeing is likely to achieve better health outcomes for epilepsy patients.