Al-Ramahi Rowa'
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Jul;51(7):562-7. doi: 10.5414/CP201814.
This research aims to describe the extent of self-medication, assess possible factors associated with it, identify patients' reasons for self-medication and their attitudes towards the role of pharmacists in self-care so that future interventions can be documented and planned.
A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted. Questionnaires were distributed randomly to 565 persons from all over the West Bank. The questionnaire covered self-medication purchases and experience with minor illnesses.
From 565 people approached. 400 (70.8%) agreed to participate in the study Self-medication was reported by 87.0% (n = 348) of cases interviewed, among them 224 (56.0%) used at least one medication without consulting a doctor in the previous month. Analgesics were the most common class used in self-medication by 317 (79.2%) respondents, followed by flu medications (233, 45.3%), and antibiotics (132, 33.0%). The majority reported that they selected medications based on selfdecision and previous use (233, 58.2%). Advice received from pharmacists was another important factor in 216 (54.0%). The most common reasons for self-medication were: their ailments being minor (341, 85.2%) and they had this medical problem before 198 (49.5%). Among 397 respondents, 335 (84.4%) either strongly agreed or agreed that the community pharmacists play an important role in providing advice - when needed - for self-medication.
Self-medication practices have been common among people in Palestine. There has been a high rate of using antibiotics without prescription, which requires suitable regulations and interventions to solve this problem. The results have shown a positive attitude towards the role of pharmacists in self-care. Community pharmacists have the potential to make a huge impact in ensuring that medicines are used appropriately.
本研究旨在描述自我药疗的程度，评估与之相关的可能因素，确定患者自我药疗的原因及其对药剂师在自我保健中作用的态度，以便记录和规划未来的干预措施。
采用问卷调查进行横断面研究。问卷随机分发给来自约旦河西岸各地的565人。问卷涵盖自我药疗购买情况和轻微疾病的经历。
在接触的565人中，400人（70.8%）同意参与研究。在接受访谈的病例中，87.0%（n = 348）报告有自我药疗行为，其中224人（56.0%）在上个月至少使用了一种未咨询医生的药物。镇痛药是自我药疗中最常用的类别，317名（79.2%）受访者使用过，其次是流感药物（233人，45.3%）和抗生素（132人，33.0%）。大多数人报告说他们根据自己的决定和以前的用药情况选择药物（233人，58.2%）。药剂师的建议是另一个重要因素，216人（54.0%）提到。自我药疗最常见的原因是：疾病轻微（341人，85.2%）以及他们以前有过这种疾病（198人，49.5%）。在397名受访者中，335人（84.4%）强烈同意或同意社区药剂师在必要时为自我药疗提供建议方面发挥重要作用。
自我药疗行为在巴勒斯坦人中很常见。无处方使用抗生素的比例很高，这需要适当的法规和干预措施来解决这个问题。结果显示人们对药剂师在自我保健中的作用持积极态度。社区药剂师在确保药物合理使用方面有潜力产生巨大影响。
