Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt:prevalence, patterns and determinants

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern and reasons for self-medication among adults in Alexandria, Egypt. In a community-based survey during 2012, a representative sample of 1100 adults completed a predesigned interview questionnaire on self-medication practices by drugs and complementary or alternative medicines (‎CAM)‎. A majority of them practised self-medication (‎86.4%)‎, mostly using both drugs and CAM (‎77.5%)‎. The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (‎96.7%)‎, and cough and cold preparations (‎81.9%)‎, but 53.9% of respondents reported self-medication with antibiotics. The most frequently used CAM were herbs (‎91.6%)‎, followed by spiritual healing (‎9.4%)‎ and cupping and acupuncture (‎6.4%)‎. CAM improved the condition according to 95.2% of users. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, occupation and the presence ofchronic conditions were the independent factors significantly affecting the practice of self-medication with drugs.