Prevalence of self-medication and its influence in the labor force in rural hlaing tharyar, Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

© 2019 Thuzar and Aung. Background: As self-medication is becoming the most familiar and preferred type of medical care in developing countries, this study was designed to measure the prevalence of self-medication and its influence on the labor force in rural areas of Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires was conducted among 250 laborers during April 2015. Results: The prevalence of self-medication among the labor force was (89.2%) in which 64.0% had poor knowledge, 56.8% had poor perception, and 68.8% received poor social support for self-medication practices. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that three variables influenced self-medication practices: (1) decision-making role for the treatment of illness (odds ratio [OR] = 3.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7–12.38); (2) poor perception (OR = 5.33, 95% CI = 1.66–17.08); and (3) poor social support (OR = 4.86, 95% CI = 1.61–14.63). Conclusion: These findings indicate the need for health education intervention and behavior change communication training for promoting rational drug use among this rural labor force.