Self-medication practice and its associated factors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Abstract

Self-medication is the practice of choosing and consuming medicine by an individual to treat self-recognized sickness. It is beneficial for the individual as well as for society as a whole. However, there are also life-threatening downsides that cannot be overlooked. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of self-medication practice, knowledge of medication use, medication literacy, and the factors associated with self-medication practice among the people in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in public parks from January to February 2021. The convenience sampling technique and the face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Descriptive distribution of data and multiple logistic regression were analyzed.The prevalence of self-medication among the study respondents was 67.7%. Antipyretics (25.2%) and headache (21.6%) were found to be frequently used medications and ailments in self-medication. The source of information was mostly from pharmacists (28.8%), and the reason for self-medication was mainly due to the nature of the disease (40.9%). It was demonstrated that 57.2% had low knowledge of medication and 55.6% were in critical medication literacy. Multiple logistic regression generated the result of three variables that influenced self-medication such as monthly average income (AOR: 3.69

95% CI: 1.11–12.25), chronic disease (AOR: 0.42

95% CI: 0.18–0.97), and medication literacy (AOR: 0.41

95% CI: 0.19–0.89). The findings of this study could raise the awareness of both healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, and the public. It could also help the authority in developing effective public health interventions to improve the safe self-medication practice in Cambodia.IMPLICATION OF THESIS. Suggestions for further researchesThe study of population should be generalized, since the data in this research was collected only from the urban area.Self-medication with herbal medicines should be added in future studies.Essential variables such as place of residence, method of demanding medication, availability of community pharmacies and health services, and contentment with health services are suggested for further studies.