Abstract:
Background: Self-medication with analgesics is a health problem.
The objective of this study was to assess the non-prescription analgesic
usage, factors associated with usage and knowledge regarding
analgesics.
Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive cross sectional
in 3 randomly selected Gramaniladhari areas in Boralesgamuwa
MOH area. Data was collected using an interviewer administered
questionnaire and data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: Respondent rate was 93.93% (n= 403) and 38.2% (n= 154)
were males. Analgesic use is significantly high among females
(p = 0.029) and in unmarried people (p = 0.036). The unemployed
reported a highest use of analgesics compared to retired and
employed. Analgesic use decreased with increasing education but
drastically increased again at degree level (p < 0.05).
One hundred and fifty respondents (37.2%) used analgesics to alleviate
pain within the last 4 weeks. From total analgesic users (n= 150)
90.6% (n= 136) used only one analgesic within last for weeks. Of
those 96.3% (n= 131) used paracetamol, 1.5% (n= 2) aspirin and 1.5%
(n= 2) diclofenac. One person stated that he used loratadine to alleviate
pain. From total analgesic users (n= 150), 9.3% (n= 14) used two
analgesics together. Eight (57.1%) stated that they used paracetamol
and chlorpheniramine as analgesics. and others used paracetamol
and diclofenac 7.1% (n= 1), paracetamol and ibuprofen 14.3% (n= 2)
paracetamol and mefenamic acid 14.3% (n= 2) and paracetamol and
paracetamol+codeine phosphate 7.1% (n= 1).
From all analgesic users (n= 150), 96.7% (n= 145) used paracetamol.
70.3% of the respondents obtained paracetamol from a
pharmacy. 13.1% (n= 19) used paracetamol prophylactically. 49.7%
(n= 72) paracetamol users stated that paracetamol overdose causes
kidney damage and 40% (n= 58) knew it causes liver damage. From
the total sample only 22.1% (n= 89) were aware that it could cause
liver damage in overdose.
18.1% (n= 62) people indicated paracetamol and panadol as separate
drugs and this percentage was 1.2% (n= 4) for paracetol. 11.6%
(n= 8) identified aspirin and disprin as separate drugs. Amoxicillin
which is an antibacterial drug was identified as an analgesic by 3.5%
(n= 14) of people.
Conclusions: Analgesic self-medication is a problem in the study
area and awareness regarding analgesic use needs to be improved.