RESUMEN
Background: Medicines are often used incorrectly; around 50% of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, while 50% of patients fail to take their medicines appropriately (WHO 2002). Self-medication is an important concern worldwide and WHO has laid emphasis on correctly investigating and controlling it. Self-medication practices have dramatically increased in the last few decades, especially in developing countries like India. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the prevalence of self-medication for during acute illness episodes and factors associated among a rural community.Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2017 in Anandnagar village, Singur block. All the 900 households in village were included in the study. Data regarding pattern of self-medication were collected by using pretested structured schedule from head of the family or next available adult member. Data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel 2016.Results: Amongst 900 household’s data could be collected from 864 households. Majority respondents were housewives in age group 40-60 years and primary educated. 50.7% respondents reported having acute illness among family members in past 3 months, 48.5% amongst them reported using self-medication. Cough (56.6%), fever (20.3%) and pain (11.2%) were the conditions for which self-medication was used. Nearby medicine shop was the source of self-medication among 59.3% respondents. 2.3% reported using old prescriptions.Conclusions:Half of the communities having acute illness were using self-medication. Uncontrolled use of medicines needs to be addressed as it brings potential health hazards, drug resistance and misuse.
RESUMEN
Background: In India as of 31st March 2010, there were 30917 laboratory confirmed H1N1 positive cases out of which 1453 were deaths with positivity index of 22.87% and mortality was 4.8%. But there was alarming sign after comparing these figures with those on 3rd October 2010 which showed 44687 confirmed H1N1 Positive cases with 2574 deaths with rise in positivity index to 23.3% and mortality rate of 5.7%. From the available data core issue of deaths occurring due to H1N1 positivity in short period of time in this year and risk factors associated with fatality were needed to look in detail. Aims & Objective: To study the epidemiologic characteristics of reported deaths, high-risk profiles linked with underlying disease among reported deaths who died after infection with H1N1 influenza.. Material and Methods: Retrospective Record based study. Data was collected from prescribed format for swine flu patients admitted in IIW (Identified Isolation Ward) of Tertiary care hospital in Pune, State Maharashtra, India. Epidemiological characteristics like age, gender, residential address, time lag of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) initiation, co morbidities, etc. were included. Confirmation of H1N1 positivity among cases was done by conducting Real Time PCR at National Institute of Virology, Pune. Trend of Occurrence of positive cases and death was drawn. Results were presented in the form of percentages for the respective variables. Case fatality rate was calculated for H1N1 Deaths. Results: Maximum positive cases and deaths were in the month of August 2010. Deaths were more among age group of 20 years and above and female’s proportion was high. Thirty one deaths were in Pune urban area from April 2010 to September 2010. Time lag in initiation of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was seen among 63 (79%) deaths. Asthma, Diabetes and hypertension were co morbid condition and pregnancy was associated condition with H1N1 fatality. Conclusion: Mortality was seen among adult population. Time lag in initiation of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was seen among majority of deaths.