Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Self-medication is defined as "obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of a doctor either for diagnosis, prescription, or surveillance of treatment." The present study was conducted to determine the trends in self-medication for dental problems amongst patients. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in year 2015. It included 500 patients who visited the general ward. Patient’s demographic data such as name, age, gender, income, education, prevalence, practices, and awareness of self-medication among dental patients were noted. Patients were provided 14 questionnaire and ask to fill the performa. Results: Age group 18-28 years had 56 males and 70 females. 29-38 years had 64 males and 80 had females. 39-48 years had 34 males and 78 females. The difference was significant (P- 0.05). 49-58 years had 26 males and 60 females. 59-68 years had 10 males and 22 females. 110 males and 198 females were married. 15 males and 17 females were illiterate, 55 males and 112 females had education upto primary level. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). 65 males and 82 females had education upto high school, 55 males and 89 females had education upto college level. 53 males and 82 females were employed while 85 males and 160 females were unemployed. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). 52 males and 68 females were students. Family income less than 10,000 was seen in 105 males and 186 females and above 10,000 was seen in 85 males and 124 females. Various reasons for self medication were prescription not necessary seen in males (27) and females (38), dentist being unavailable (males- 42, females- 55), expensive dental treatment (males- 28, females- 35), long dental queque (males- 12, females- 22). 15 males and 26 females used traditional medicine and 90 males and 134 females never took self medication. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Most common awareness regarding self medication was worsening illness (males-44, females- 85) and damage to body parts (males- 55, females-64) followed by addiction, mental illness etc. 100 males and 150 females never visit to dentist. 90 males and 160 females visited dentist. 40 males and 90 females had last visit within a year to dentist while 50 males and 70e fmales had visit over 1 year duration. 54 males and 82 females prescribed other to dentist while 136 males and 228 females never prescribed. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Self-medication should be avoided. It has serious side effects. Restriction of sale of drugs with potentially harmful effects can be implemented effectively with monitoring systems between the significant stake holders
Key words: Drug, Education, Self-medication

Corresponding author: Dr Devendra Kumar Katiyar, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, U.P., India

This article may be cited as: Katiyar DK, Kumar R. Self medication among patients- A clinical study. J Adv Med Dent Scie Res 2017;5(2):172-175.