Research Article
Self-Medication Practices among Community of Harar City and Its Surroundings, Eastern Ethiopia
Table 2
Self-medication practice among participants in Harar City and its surroundings from March to April, 2017(n=370).
| Variables | Responses | Frequency | Percentage (%) |
| Major chief complaints | | | | | Headache | 112 | 30.3 | | Respiratory disorders | 109 | 29.5 | | Gastrointestinal disorders | 100 | 27.0 | | Fever | 26 | 7.0 | | Skin disorders | 23 | 6.2 | Reason for self-medication | | | | | Less expensive | 76 | 20.5 | | Prior experience of drug or disease | 214 | 57.8 | | Disease is not serious | 49 | 13.2 | | Emergency care | 30 | 8.1 | | Others | 1 | 0.3 | Sources of information | | | | | Pharmacist | 149 | 40.3 | | No information | 118 | 31.9 | | Advised by neighbors, friends, or relatives | 70 | 18.9 | | Labels and leaflets or promotional materials | 30 | 8.1 | | Others∧ | 3 | 0.8 | Medications used | | | | | Analgesic / antipyretics | 156 | 42.2 | | Respiratory drugs | 115 | 31.1 | | GI drugs | 72 | 19.5 | | Oral rehydration salt | 2 | 0.5 | | Antimicrobials | 11 | 3.0 | | Others | 14 | 3.8 | Adverse drug reaction | | | | | Yes | 44 | 11.9 | | No | 326 | 88.1 |
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indicates less waiting time; ∧ indicates other professionals, past experiences; indicates vitamins and anthelmintics. |