A Study of Self- Medication Uses without a Prescription among Iraqi Patients in Baghdad City

Authors

  • Shatha Saadi Mohammed
  • Ahmed Mohammed Jasim Shlash

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.15109

Keywords:

Self-medication, Prescription, Patient.

Abstract

Background: Medicines are those chemical compounds which consist of a single substance or more and are
obtained through natural (plant or animal), as well as industrial methods, by chemical reactions that utilized
in the treatment of diseases that can infect human and animals or alleviate illness, prevention or diagnosing.
Self-medication is the unwanted medical use of prescription and / or over-the-counter drugs. These practices
have become an encouraging global form of self-care when it comes to minor ailments. Well it is not limited
to over-the-counter medicines. This also includes the use of prescription medications such as antibiotics.
Objective: This study explores the extent of a widespread phenomenon of medicines usage without a doctor
prescription, and studied the self-medication practices reasons among patients in the city of Baghdad.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by questionnaires were distributed randomly
to 300 adults in different age group, sex and level of education at PHC in Baghdad city.
Result: In this study, findings depict that the (34.3%) of study male participants are aged (30-39) years old.
In regarding with education, thirty-four percent are primary school graduated and work a housewife resident
in rural areas. Also, the (53 %), (12.3%) respectively take drugs in the last months for flu. The (64.7%) of
drugs was prescribed by physician and (35.3%) of drug take without prescription because (16.3%) of them
not have access to physician care. The source of drugs supplies, the (31.7%) take it from others source and
(38.3%) of information on the use of these drugs was obtained from physicians. The most common types of
drugs used without prescription the result indicated that (39.0) was antibiotics and (53.3%) of sample not
commitment by dose, Reading instructions & advertence with complication. Also the (73%) of sample don’t
uses or depending upon herbs.
Conclusion & Recommendations: The continued use of medications without a prescription is an alarming
problem in the country of Iraq. The prevalence of self-medication management is high in Middle Eastern
countries and is often associated with inappropriate drug use. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the
relationship between the various factors that favor the management of self-medication and to evaluate the
evolving trends to help us develop strategies to reduce the health risks associated with drugs among the
people of the Middle East.
The recommendations included the imposition of regulatory measures that restrict access to prescription
medications only in countries where antibiotics are available over the counter. Another recommendation,
which has emerged in several studies, is to improve the use of media campaigns to effectively guide public
education programs.

Author Biographies

  • Shatha Saadi Mohammed

    Assistant Professor, Adults Health Nursing, Babylon University / Iraq

  • Ahmed Mohammed Jasim Shlash

    Assistant Lect., Adults Health Nursing/
    College of Nursing, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq

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Published

2021-03-24

How to Cite

A Study of Self- Medication Uses without a Prescription among Iraqi Patients in Baghdad City. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(2), 4587-4592. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.15109