DELVING INTO THE COLLECTIVE AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS MEDICINE AMONG THE RURAL POPULATION: A COMMUNITY SURVEY

Lakshmi Devi Lahari Ramoju, Likitha Parimi, Dona Satya Sri Harsha Aradadi, Yarra Hemalatha, Nandini Palivela and Pavan Kumar Yanamadala*

ABSTRACT

Medication is essential for treating a variety of illnesses and enhancing the person’s quality of life. Use of medication by the public without awareness can lead to risk and complications. Despite all of its benefits, emerging evidence points to drug side effects as a common but preventable cause. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was to assess the public opinions and knowledge on general beliefs about medication, their adherence practices, attitudes towards self-medication & prescribed medications. A Self Structured questionnaire form was prepared for this study, and was carried out in randomly selected 286 subjects. Literates (high school and graduate level) and ol illiterates (both sexes, over the age of 20 to 70 years) make up this study group's population of people with various levels of education. According to the results of our study, about 71% of the subjects who are suffering with various illness, who had their families help them manage their prescriptions frequently had difficulty comprehending their own therapies. Most of the population i.e., about 74% relies on the pharmacist’s recommendation when selecting medication. About 47% of population believe in Over-the-Counter medications, rather than visiting a Physician. The study’s findings shown that the general public’s perception on Medication use was favorable. Their knowledge, which was determined to be average and their practice, which was below par towards medication usage which determines their attitude about practicing Self Medication.

Keywords: Self-Medication, Over-the-counter medicine, Medication Adherence, Medication Safety, Knowledge on Allopathic Medication. Rural Population’s Medication Practices.