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Treating one's own ailments

M I Ibrahim1

  • 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.

World Health Forum
|January 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Malaysians often self-medicate minor health issues using over-the-counter drugs or traditional remedies. Professional medical help is sought only when self-treatment proves ineffective.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Self-medication is a common practice globally for managing minor ailments.
  • Understanding self-medication patterns is crucial for public health strategies.
  • Traditional medicine use alongside over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is prevalent in many regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the self-medication practices of the general population in Peninsular Malaysia.
  • To identify the types of ailments treated by self-medication.
  • To determine the preferred methods (OTC drugs vs. traditional medicines) for self-treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A small-scale survey was conducted among the general population in Peninsular Malaysia.
  • Data collected focused on self-reported treatment of minor ailments.

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  • Specific conditions and medication choices were recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant tendency for self-medication with OTC drugs and/or traditional medicines was observed.
    • OTC drugs were frequently used for skin conditions, general healthcare, pain relief, and issues related to eyes, ears, mouth, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems.
    • Consultation with a medical doctor was typically a last resort after self-medication failure.

    Conclusions:

    • Self-medication is a primary approach for managing minor health concerns in Peninsular Malaysia.
    • The study highlights the importance of OTC drugs and traditional medicines in primary healthcare.
    • Further research is recommended to explore the implications of these practices on health outcomes and healthcare system utilization.