Self-care or self-risk? examining self-medication behaviors and influencing factors among young adults in Bengaluru

CONTEXT: Globally self-medication is an important public health problem, with prevalence ranging from 11.7 to 92 % worldwide and around 52 % in India. It is nevertheless common, particularly in developing nations like India, despite the possible hazards, including adverse drug reactions and the risk of drug resistance. OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the prevalence of self-medication, examines associated factors and explores attitudes toward self-medication among young adults in Bengaluru. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study, conducted from August 1 to September 30, 2023, involved 453 young adults aged 18-22 in four Bengaluru colleges. Participants were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data were collected through a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, self-medication practices, and attitudes. Data were analyzed using EpiData 3.1 analysis software. Chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and Binary logistic regression were used to identify significant predictors of self-medication. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication among young adults is found to be 93 % and it was influenced by factors such as age, gender, and education. Common reasons included time-saving (40 %) and possession of old prescriptions (35 %). The most frequently self-medicated conditions were headaches (61 %) and fever (55 %). Significant predictors of self-medication included age (20-22 years) with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.4 (95 % CI 0.1-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication practices were highly prevalent among young adults in urban Bengaluru, driven by factors such as convenience and cost-saving. There is a need for targeted health education and stricter enforcement of drug sale regulations to mitigate these risks.