Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern and reasons for self-medication among adults in Alexandria, Egypt. In a community-based survey during 2012, a representative sample of 1100 adults completed a predesigned interview questionnaire on self-medication practices by drugs and complementary or alternative medicines [CAM]. A majority of them practised self-medication [86.4%], mostly using both drugs and CAM [77.5%]. The most commonly used drugs were analgesics [96.7%], and cough and cold preparations [81.9%], but 53.9% of respondents reported self-medication with antibiotics. The most frequently used CAM were herbs [91.6%], followed by spiritual healing [9.4%] and cupping and acupuncture [6.4%]. CAM improved the condition according to 95.2% of users. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, occupation and the presence of chronic conditions were the independent factors significantly affecting the practice of self-medication with drugs