ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescents (10–19 years) are a vulnerable group in need of health information and services for their betterment. They are exposed to various vulnerabilities regarding health especially those living in slums. Self medication is defined as the use of medications without prescription for self treatment. Objectives: To study health seeking behaviour and self medication practices among adolescent slum dwellers of Guwahati. Materials and Methods: A Cross Sectional Study was carried out during October to December 2017 using pretested, predesigned pro forma covering 150 adolescent slum dwellers of Guwahati. Results: Majority (51%) of the adolescents were of age group 15–19 years. Males were 62%.Family perception was the major hindrance (22%) in seeking health care. 28% practised self medication. Conclusion: Further work–up is needed in the field of adolescent health services to make them aware of various health–care facilities.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Undergraduate medical students have knowledge of drugs and have a tendency to self-medicate.This study was done to assess the practice of self-medication among these medical students. Methods: Three hundred medical undergraduates from different years of medical education in Gauhati Medical College were subjected to a validated questionnaire on history of practice of self-medication in last 6 months. Results: Self medication was practiced by 73.3% students, with highest contribution(31.8%) by 4th year students.There was increase in practice in self-medication with increase in the year since medical admission (p<0.0001).Academic knowledge or textbooks were the most common references used.Reasons for self-medications were mild nature of illness,saving time,urgency and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: Self-medication is common in undergraduate medical students