Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka

Background: Self-medication is the use of medicinal products without prior medical consultation or medical advice. Self-medication is an irresponsible use of antibiotics and contributes to the development of resistance in bacteria. This study would help to design a line of action to ameliorate the a...

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Main Authors: Sijin Wilson, Raghavendraswamy Koppad, Kanchana Nagendra, Sakshi Kumari, C. Liana, Mageppa Mandi, Ceethal Anna Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Medical Evidence
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JME.JME_124_22
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author Sijin Wilson
Raghavendraswamy Koppad
Kanchana Nagendra
Sakshi Kumari
C. Liana
Mageppa Mandi
Ceethal Anna Joseph
author_facet Sijin Wilson
Raghavendraswamy Koppad
Kanchana Nagendra
Sakshi Kumari
C. Liana
Mageppa Mandi
Ceethal Anna Joseph
author_sort Sijin Wilson
collection DOAJ
description Background: Self-medication is the use of medicinal products without prior medical consultation or medical advice. Self-medication is an irresponsible use of antibiotics and contributes to the development of resistance in bacteria. This study would help to design a line of action to ameliorate the alarming trends of self-medication with antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Aims: The objective is to assess the prevalence and patterns of the practice of self-medication using antibiotics among the general population of Shimoga district of Karnataka. Patients and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Data were collected from 800 adults by door-step interview using a questionnaire after obtaining consent. Data were entered in Excel and were analysed using Epi-info software. Results: Of the 800 respondents, 13.5% were involved in the practice of self-medication. Of this 13.5%, 55.56% belonged to an urban area and 54.63% belonged to below the poverty line. The major source of non-prescription antibiotics was registered medical shops and pharmacies. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for public health authorities in India to enforce existing laws on antibiotic sales and enlighten people on the dangers of irrational use of antibiotics.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-03b2e500379e4c35ace83ca9088d14d22025-08-20T03:31:28ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Medical Evidence2667-07202667-07392025-04-016213113410.4103/JME.JME_124_22Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, KarnatakaSijin WilsonRaghavendraswamy KoppadKanchana NagendraSakshi KumariC. LianaMageppa MandiCeethal Anna JosephBackground: Self-medication is the use of medicinal products without prior medical consultation or medical advice. Self-medication is an irresponsible use of antibiotics and contributes to the development of resistance in bacteria. This study would help to design a line of action to ameliorate the alarming trends of self-medication with antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Aims: The objective is to assess the prevalence and patterns of the practice of self-medication using antibiotics among the general population of Shimoga district of Karnataka. Patients and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Data were collected from 800 adults by door-step interview using a questionnaire after obtaining consent. Data were entered in Excel and were analysed using Epi-info software. Results: Of the 800 respondents, 13.5% were involved in the practice of self-medication. Of this 13.5%, 55.56% belonged to an urban area and 54.63% belonged to below the poverty line. The major source of non-prescription antibiotics was registered medical shops and pharmacies. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for public health authorities in India to enforce existing laws on antibiotic sales and enlighten people on the dangers of irrational use of antibiotics.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JME.JME_124_22antibiotic resistanceantibioticsself-medication
spellingShingle Sijin Wilson
Raghavendraswamy Koppad
Kanchana Nagendra
Sakshi Kumari
C. Liana
Mageppa Mandi
Ceethal Anna Joseph
Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
Journal of Medical Evidence
antibiotic resistance
antibiotics
self-medication
title Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
title_full Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
title_fullStr Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
title_short Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Self-medication Practices Using Antibiotics among the Different Socio-economic Classes of Shimoga, Karnataka
title_sort comparative study on the prevalence of self medication practices using antibiotics among the different socio economic classes of shimoga karnataka
topic antibiotic resistance
antibiotics
self-medication
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/JME.JME_124_22
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