Table 5.
Practice of self-medication among our participants
| Variables | Levels | Frequency (%) (N = 1024) |
|---|---|---|
| Have you taken medications on your own without the physician’s supervision or prescription during the last three months? (N = 1630) | No | 606 (37.20) |
| Yes | 1024 (62.80) | |
| How many times have you taken those medications in the last three months? | Less than 3 times | 559 (54.60) |
| 3—6 times | 264 (25.80) | |
| More than 6 times | 201 (19.60) | |
| Do these medications help you feel better? | It gets worse | 1 (0.10) |
| No difference / I rarely feel better | 24 (2.30) | |
| Sometimes I feel better | 690 (67.40) | |
| I always feel better | 309 (30.20) | |
| How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your habit of self-medication? | Decreased | 73 (7.10) |
| No change | 597 (58.30) | |
| Increased | 125 (12.20) | |
| I don't remember | 229 (22.40) | |
| Did you have any side effects that necessitate physician consultation? | No | 841 (82.10) |
| Not sure | 87 (8.50) | |
| Yes | 96 (9.40) | |
| Which of the following did you know before taking those medications? a | Indications for use | 742 (72.46) |
| Medication name | 723 (70.61) | |
| How to use or take the medication | 598 (58.40) | |
| Proper dosage | 440 (42.97) | |
| Possible side effects | 276 (26.95) | |
| Duration of use or intake | 274 (26.76) | |
| Contraindications | 257 (25.10) | |
| Proper storage methods at home | 211 (20.61) |
a Multiple response question
Abbreviations: COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019