ISSN: 2576-4772
Authors: Alhur AA*
This comprehensive survey study explores self-medication practices and perceptions among 1,145 residents of Hail City, Saudi Arabia, contextualizing these behaviors within the broader spectrum of global self-medication trends. Utilizing a detailed cross-sectional survey methodology, the research aims to elucidate the prevalence, driving factors, and community attitudes towards self-medication, taking into account variables such as healthcare accessibility, cultural norms, economic conditions, and the availability of over-the-counter medications. Demographic analysis of the participant pool, comprising 732 females (63.9%) and 413 males (36.1%), highlights a female predominance and significant representation of middle-aged adults (35 - 44 years) in self-medication practices, suggesting specific demographic influences on these behaviors. Findings indicate a prevalent yet cautious approach to self-medication among the community, with a notable preference for over-the-counter drugs by 59.4% of participants. However, a considerable 40.6% also resort to prescription drugs for self-medication, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with unsupervised medication use. Perceptions of self-medication within the community are largely negative, with 83.8% viewing it as unsafe and 90.4% advocating for stricter regulations. This underscores a strong community consensus on the need for increased public awareness and education regarding the risks of self-medication. Furthermore, 51.1% of participants reported seeking professional medical advice post-self-medication, indicating a proactive approach to validating self-care practices. Advanced statistical analyses, including correlation analysis, Chi-Square tests, and logistic regression, provide deeper insights into the interrelations among studied variables, revealing significant associations between demographic factors and selfmedication practices. These findings underscore the imperative for multifaceted public health strategies to address the complexities of self medication practices and to promote safe medication practices across the board.
Keywords: Self-Medication Practices; Perceptions; Demographic Influences; Over-the-Counter Drugs; Professional Medical Advice; Public Health Strategies; Hail City; Saudi Arabia
