ABSTRACT
Introduction:Self‑medication (SM) is popular globally but leads to the wastage of resources, health hazards, and resistance to pathogens. This study aims to ascertain the frequency and manner, in which SM practices were employed by the urban population of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: The study was an observational cross‑sectional one conducted in Burdwan Municipality, West Bengal, India, using a sample size of 180 adults (aged at least 18 years), residing in the study area, i.e., urban slum area for at least 6 months and conducted over 2 months. The data have been collected through a semi‑structured schedule consisting of questions on the sociodemographic characteristics of the study subjects and their SM practices. The data were thereafter analyzed, wherein descriptive statistics and a Chi‑square test were used. Results: It was found that SM was prevalent among 48.9% of the study population, with most participants practicing SM for body pain, headache, and fever. Among the different classes of drugs used, analgesics were the most common (31.8%), followed by antipyretics (25.0%) and antacids (20.5%). The correlation between sociodemographic characteristics and the practice of SM showed that individuals below the age of 36 were found to be more likely to engage in SM, along with individuals who had a low monthly income, and no comorbidities. These subjects were practicing SM more than their counterparts and it was statistically significant with theP < 0.05. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of awareness and education regarding the proper use of over‑the‑counter drugs and recommends educating pharmacists and the public about the same. Public health programs should be introduced for the people living in slums to create cautiousness about SM.
ABSTRACT
Background: RTI/STIs have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide, the symptoms of which often goes unnoticed and women suffers from devastating consequences. The present study was conducted to analyse the prevalence of RTIs based on a syndromic approach among women of 15 to 49 years age, supported by both laboratory and clinical diagnosis to measure the actual magnitude of morbidity associated with RTIs among the study population. The objective of the study were to study the prevalence of reproductive tract infection among the women of reproductive age group (15-49 years), to find out the etiological diagnosis and to assess the socio-demographic profile of the study population.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 312 women aged 15-44 years in a rural area in West Bengal, using the WHO-Syndromic Approach for diagnosis and management of RTIs/STIs.Results: The prevalence of RTIs among the reproductive age group women was 43.6% based on their symptoms of RTI, with majority having abnormal vaginal discharge. According to laboratory investigations the most common cause of RTI was bacterial vaginosis which was 67.4% (using Amsel’s criteria) and 31.7% (as per Nugent’s score), followed by Vulvovaginal candidiasis which was found in 12.4%.Conclusions: RTI among women of reproductive age is quite a common morbidity.It is the need of the hour to educate women about reproductive health issues and encourage them to seek treatment for their problems and wherever possible both clinical and laboratory findings should corroborate self reported morbidity to know the exact prevalence of any disease in the community.