Self-medication among the in-patients of Qazvin teaching hospitals

Background: Self-medication is referred to drug consumption without diagnosis and prescripsion of a physician. It results in over dose of drug consumption in the society and may induce harmful side-effects. Objective: To study self-medication among the in-patients of Qazvin teaching hospitals. Methods: Through a descriptive study, 400 patients who were admitted in Qazvin teaching hospitals were interviewed through a questionnaire. Findings: 83.3% of all patients committed self-medication. The most prevalent from of drugs were tablets (41%) and the most common diseases for which they were used were respiratory, psychiatric and alimentary complications respectively. The most common factors underlying self drug consumption were negligence of the disease (30%) and inability to afford the visit fees of the physicians (14.7%). Administered drug consumption was more prevalent among 40 to 66 year old patients (86.5%) and less prevalent among 0 to 12 year old. It was also more prevalent among government employees and families with members more than 10. It was also very common among people having university degrees, and non-medical insured patients. Conclusion: Since drug production demands high expenses and self-administered may induce harmful side-effects, a reform in the cultural and educational habits of patients is recommended.