Descriptive Study to Assess the Pattern of Usage of Nonprescribed Medication among Adults in Delhi

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication or nonprescribed drug use is common in developing countries. Self-medication
can be defined as obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of a physician, either for diagnosis,
prescription or surveillance of treatment. Descriptive study was conducted to assess the pattern of usage
of nonprescribed medication among adults in Delhi, India.
Objectives: Objectives of the study were to assess the pattern of usage of nonprescribed medication and
identify the side effects with usage of nonprescribed medication and establish the relationship of patterns
of usage of nonprescribed medication with selected demographic variables, i.e., age, sex, educational
status and monthly family income and to develop and disseminate the information booklet on the hazards
of using nonprescribed medication.
Methodology: A quantitative approach with descriptive survey design was used to achieve the objectives
of the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 120 subjects. The study was conducted in
Sangam Vihar, New Delhi. The tool used for data collection was a semi-structured interview schedule that
was administered to assess the pattern of usage of nonprescribed medications in a selected community of
New Delhi. An information booklet on ‘Hazards of Usage of Nonprescribed Medications’ was developed
and disseminated. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Result: 86.66% gave nonprescribed medication to their family members. 36.66% gave nonprescribed
medication to their parents/grandparents. All subjects consumed nonprescribed medication to treat
health conditions. There was a significant co-relation between the pattern of usage of non prescribed
medication and age, frequency of consuming nonprescribed medication and source of information. There
was no significant relationship between age and duration of consuming nonprescribed medication. There
was a significant co-relation between educational status and source of information.
Conclusion: An information booklet on hazards of using nonprescribed medication was prepared and
disseminated to all subjects. Awareness sessions on the hazards of using nonprescribed medication by
the community health nurse or volunteers can help in reduction in the usage of nonprescribed medication
in the community.