Self-medication profiles in school-age adolescents in Surabaya city, Indonesia
Background: It has been reported that children are already practicing self-medication. Indeed, at the children’s age, they are not allowed to self-medicate due to limited knowledge regarding self-medication, leading to inappropriate drug therapy or self-toxicity becoming problems in public health....
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
PAGEPress Publications
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://publichealthinafrica.org/jphia/article/view/2530 |
| Summary: | Background: It has been reported that children are already practicing self-medication. Indeed, at the children’s age, they are not allowed to self-medicate due to limited knowledge regarding self-medication, leading to inappropriate drug therapy or self-toxicity becoming problems in public health.
Objective: This study aimed to determine how school-age adolescents carry out self-medication behavior.
Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional in which data were collected using questionnaire methods. There were 195 students recruited in this study, consisting of SDN Keputih-245 Elementary School students, SMPN 19 Surabaya Junior High School, and SMAN 11 Surabaya Senior High School.
Results: The results showed that most of the students had purchased medicine independently without a doctor’s prescription. The primary source of information regarding self-medication by school students is family. Although most of the respondents stated they always inform their parents or doctors, it has been found that the practice of self-medication by school-age teenagers without informing their parents or doctors exists. Moreover, less than 50% of student respondents believe that self-medication is safe.
Conclusion: The role of pharmacists is urgently needed to pro- vide proper education related to drug information and self-medication to increase school-age students’ knowledge.
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| ISSN: | 2038-9922 2038-9930 |