Muhammad Majid Aziz
Xian Jiaotong University, P. R. China
Title: How to control self medication: A qualitative community survey
Biography
Biography: Muhammad Majid Aziz
Abstract
It had been reported that in many developing and under developed economically deprived countries most episodes of illness are treated by self-medication and is common practice due to quality concerns related to healthcare delivery systems. However, there are few studies in Pakistan which has explored the health seeking behavior, medicinal use and self medication in rural and urban areas. Our study aims to explore the public opinion about the control of self medication. Current study was conducted in Multan; Pakistan in March 2016.This was a qualitative study. The data from purposefully selected community was collected by in-depth interviews. The sample size was limited by applying the saturation criteria. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic content analysis was applied to analyze the data and draw conclusions. Out of the total 16 participants, 2 were female, and 5 were illiterate. Analysis of the data yielded 8 themes; Prevent the supply of medicines without prescription, Awareness and education regarding implications of self-medication, Enforcing strict rules regarding misleading pharmaceutical advertising, Working towards making health care facilities easily available, Availability of health care provider, Control toward rational diagnostic tests, Control of prescriber’s consultation fee, Control on laboratory fee for tests.