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. 2023 Dec 29;15(12):e51281.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.51281. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Patterns and Prevalence of Self-Medication in Saudi Arabia: Insights From a Nationwide Survey

Anas Alhur  1 , Afrha Alhur  2 , Amirah Alfayiz  3 , Abdullah Alotaibi  4 , Bushra Hansh  5 , Nada Ghasib  6 , Fahad Alharbi  7 , Nouf Albalawi  8 , Aishah Aljohani  9 , Aseel Almaghthawi  10 , Ahmed Sahlool  11 , Sultan AlThobaiti  12 , Walaa Hakami  6 , Ayed Alghamdi  13 , Zakaria Asiri  14
Affiliations

Patterns and Prevalence of Self-Medication in Saudi Arabia: Insights From a Nationwide Survey

Anas Alhur et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Self-medication, the unsupervised use of drugs, is a common global behavior with potential adverse health outcomes. This study explores the prevalence and patterns of self-medication in Saudi Arabia, focusing on factors such as drug availability, economic constraints, and public trust in healthcare systems. Particular emphasis is placed on self-medication with antibiotics and prescription drugs due to their significant public health risks. Our comprehensive, quantitative, cross-sectional study surveyed 1,671 individuals across Saudi Arabia's diverse regions. We found that 75.5% of respondents engaged in self-medication, primarily on an occasional basis. While 59.8% of participants perceived self-medication as safe, 17.5% reported experiencing adverse effects. Respondents strongly advocated for increased regulatory measures (87.7%) and a pressing need for enhanced public education (92.6%) to address the associated risks. The study highlights the widespread practice of self-medication in Saudi Arabia, influenced by various factors, and underscores the need for targeted health policies and educational campaigns to mitigate these risks.

Keywords: adverse drug reactions; drug use patterns; health education; public health; self-medication.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Type of substances used
Figure 2
Figure 2. Factors influencing self-medication
Figure 3
Figure 3. Sources of information
Figure 4
Figure 4. Self-medication survey questionnaire
Figure 5
Figure 5. Self-medication survey questionnaire
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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