An overview of self-treatment and selfmedication practices among Slovenian citizens
Background: The aim of this study was to acquire data related to the prevalence of self-medication use among inhabitants of Slovenia. We focused on the use of different self-medication practices, reasons for their use, the groups that use them, and probable association with socioeconomic status of a...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Slovenian Medical Association
2010-11-01
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| Series: | Zdravniški Vestnik |
| Online Access: | http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/316 |
| Summary: | Background: The aim of this study was to acquire
data related to the prevalence of self-medication
use among inhabitants of Slovenia. We
focused on the use of different self-medication
practices, reasons for their use, the groups that
use them, and probable association with socioeconomic
status of an individual user.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, based
on anonymous questionnaires, posted in April
2009 to one thousand randomly chosen inhabitants
in all regions of the Republic of Slovenia.
Results: We got 41.0 % response rate. 51.0 % of
the respondents have used some form of selftreatment
in the previous year. 69.3 % used
OTC drugs and 38.3 % prescription drugs for
self-medication. 83.1 % of them got the drugs for
self-medication from the pharmacist but 23.0 %
of them got the drugs for self-medication from
their friends and relatives. Several demographical
characteristics of the respondents were statistically
significantly associated with self-medication practices; thus women were more likely
using OTC drugs, vitamins and minerals, and
more likely buying them in pharmacies, as compared
to men; students and active population
were more likely to use OTC drugs, also more
likely buying them in pharmacies as compared
to other population groups.
Conclusions: The use of self-medication in Slovenia
is very high, but mainly in quite safe mode. Majority of medicines are bought in regulated
pharmacies, where users can also get pharmaceutical
care. Physicians have to take into account
self-medication in their patients, take a thorough
self-medication history and make good use of
each consultation by educating the patients on
appropriate and safe use of prescribed and OTC
medicines. |
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| ISSN: | 1318-0347 1581-0224 |