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Table 1 Items related to self-medication in the study sample (n = 153)

From: Prevalence and associated risk factors of self-medication among patients attending El-Mahsama family practice center, Ismailia, Egypt

Variables

n (%)

Reasons for self-medication

 Cost saving

82 (53.6)

 Convenience

68 (44.4)

 Lack of trust in doctor

3 (2)

Symptoms/conditions that warranted use of self-medication

 Aches and pains

60 (39.2)

 Headache

26 (17)

 Fever

18 (11.8)

 Sore throat

14 (9.2)

 A runny nose

13 (8.5)

 Cough

6 (3.9)

 Nasal congestion

5 (3.3)

 Vomiting

1 (0.7)

 Diarrhea

1 (0.7)

 Skin wounds

1 (0.7)

 Others*

8 (5.2)

Information source

 Recommendation by community pharmacists

36 (23.5)

 Previous doctor’s prescription

32 (20.9)

 Own experience

28 (18.3)

 Opinion of family members

20 (13.1)

 Opinion of friends

21 (13.7)

 Recommendation by net citizens

16 (10.5)

Patient opinion about self-medication on self-health care

 Good practice

13 (8.5)

 Acceptable practice

44 (28.8)

 Not acceptable practice

96 (62.7)

Drugs involved in self-medication

 Analgesics

91 (59.2)

 Antibiotics

36 (23.5)

 Anti-histamines

11 (7.2)

 Weight gain and weight reducing agents

11 (7.2)

 Multivitamins

4 (2.6)

  1. *Others include dizziness, epigastric pain, low back pain, and dysuria)