Self-Medication Practices among Patients in Southwestern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Self-medication is a potentially hazardous behavior wherein individuals attempt to manage medical conditions without sufficient knowledge. This study investigated the prevalence of self-treatment among patients in Khorramabad, Iran. In this study, ۳۹۰ patients referred to Shahid Rahim Hospital in ۲۰۲۴ completed relevant self-medication questionnaires. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprising five questions on demographic information, ۲۱ questions addressing the causes of self-treatment, ۱۹ questions regarding the types of medicines used, and ۱۳ questions related to the types of diseases. The study results indicated that the highest rates of self-medication were observed among women, individuals with higher education, and urban residents. The most prevalent reasons for self-treatment included the use of traditional remedies by ۱۴۸ individuals, the perception that the disease is not serious among ۱۳۵ individuals, repeated prescriptions affecting ۱۳۰ individuals, and high costs associated with treatment. Additionally, ۱۲۸ individuals sought medical attention from doctors. The most frequently used medications were cold remedies, sedatives, antibiotics, antipyretics, and dermatological agents. In conclusion, self-medication represents a significant public health challenge, which can lead to severe consequences for patients if not adequately addressed. The incidence of self-medication behavior is high; therefore, it is essential to enhance awareness of drug side effects by disseminating information through various channels and shifting the perspective on self-medication.

کلیدواژه ها:

Self-medication ، drugs ، patients