Prevalence, practice, and determinants of self-medication among the common public in a village of Northern Kerala, India

Background: Self-medication, managing health issues without professional guidance, poses significant risks to individuals and public health. Prevalence rates vary globally, often higher in low-income countries due to limited healthcare access. While self-medication offers cost-effective solutions for minor ailments, it may lead to misuse, adverse effects and financial burdens. Identifying factors driving self-medication is crucial for tailored interventions. This study aims to assess self-medication prevalence, practice, and influencing factors in a Kerala village. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study included 212 participants (?18 years) selected via convenient sampling. A pre-tested questionnaire collected socio-demographic data, self-medication prevalence, and influencing factors. Self-medication was defined as OTC drug use without consulting a medical graduate. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, with chi-square tests for bivariate analysis (p?0.05). Results: Participants (mean age: 38.13±15.56) reported 53.8% self-medication. Acute illness individuals self-medicated more (80.7% purchased from independent pharmacies). Time constraints (24.5%) and expired prescriptions (42.1%) drove self-medication. Medication choice was influenced by cost (54.3%), brand reputation (21.1%), and both (24.6%), with pharmacist recommendations (36.0%) playing a role. Self-medication was common among ages 41-60 (64.3%) and those with lower education levels (77.8% primary, 70.5% middle). Acute illness individuals self-medicated more (66%) than chronic cases (34%). Conclusions: This rural Kerala study identifies a 53.8% self-medication rate, affected by age, education, and healthcare preferences. Targeted interventions are needed for ethical self-medication and improved healthcare practices.

Human group C rotavirus in children with diarrhea in the Federal District, Brazil

Group C rotaviruses are fastidious in their in vitro cell culture requirements. Recent serosurveys indicate that antibody to group C rotavirus is present in 3-45 per cent of the human population in certain geographic locations, suggesting that rotavirus group C infection is more prevalent than previously believed and that the low rate of detection of these agents is probably due to the lack of sensitive diagnostic assays. From March to December 1994, 406 fecal specimens were collected from children under five years of age who were outpatients at the emergency services of nine public hospitals in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. In addition to the samples from children, one public outpatient unit requested virological investigation of a stool sample from an HIV-seropositive adult male with diarrhea of sudden onset. All samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for group A rotavirus and adenovirus (EIARA) and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). One hundred and seven (26 per cent) were positive for group A rotavirus. Four samples from children and the sample from the HIV-seropositive patient, although negative by EIARA, showed a group C rotavirus profile by PAGE and were positive for rotavirus by electron microscopy. Using specific VP6 and VP7 primers for group C rotavirus, a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed and products were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. These products were confirmed to be specific for group C rotavirus by using digoxigenin-oligonucleotide probes, Southern hybridization and chemiluminescent detection. The five positive group C rotavirus samples were detected in August (3 samples) and September (2 samples). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of group C rotavirus detected in the Federal District, Brazil and in an HIV-seropositive patient with acute gastroenteritis.

A study of the effect of; Dr. Kalulu AIDS booklets' on school children' sexual behaviour

The study's aim was to determine the effect of DR. KALULU AIDS BOOKLETS on school childrens' sexual behaviour. The findings revealed that school children had no comprehensive knowledge of AIDS and therefore there is a need to review the booklets