Prevalence of self medication among dental patients

Self- medication is a common practice in developing countries but little is known about its determinants. Self-medication leads to drug resistant pathogens and serious health hazards. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among dental patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 400 outdoor patients. The objective was to determine the extent and pattern of Self medication, to identify their knowledge and practice against purchased drugs and to assess factors associated with it. Data were collected by interviewed based questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Among 430 outdoor patients, 400 participated [response rate 93%] in this survey. The Self mediators were reported 66.6%, p<0.001] as compared to adults [57.8%, non Self medicated were 42.2%]. Female patients were more prone towards Self medication [66.4%] as compared to male patients [45.4%]. Among various reasons, cost and expenditure is in lower class, Laziness and Lack of time in middle while Dental phobia in upper class in the main reasons of Self Medications. The self motivators were Graduates [32.7%, p=0.002] while patients who consider dental phobia as a reason of SM has completed high school/ intermediate education [32.3%]. A need was felt to focus on counseling and create awareness about negative aspect of self-medication. Though self-medication is hard to eliminate, drug law enforcement and educating the public at large is vital