Abstract

Sandeep V. Binorkar*, Ranjeet S. Sawant and Gajanan R. Parlikar

ABSTRACT

Background: Self medication is selection and consumption of non-prescribed medicines by the patients himself for pre/self diagnosed ailment. It is mostly practiced in the chronic conditions wherein patients are not satisfied with the symptomatic treatment received earlier. Though the degree and causes of such practices may vary worldwide, no data is available on the existing status of self-medication practices among Diabetes mellitus Type-2 patients. Objective: Present study was designed to find out the degree of self medication among the patients suffering of DM. Methodology: It was cross-sectional study conducted online among the subjects suffering from Diabetes mellitus –type 2 in the form of survey. The web link of the survey was also shared by email for its wide circulation. The link was available online from 21st July to 31st October 2017 for recording the responses of the volunteers. Results: Out of 1163 subjects suffering from DM voluntarily participated in the survey 547 (47.03%) volunteers were practicing self medication. Study revealed the causes and intentions behind the tendency of self medication seen in the patients. Conclusion: Unavailability of panacea and compulsion of lifelong medication in diabetes mellitus type-2 is the only cause found responsible for self medication.