SELF-medication patterns among adulthood

Self-medication is a world-wide common community health problem. In this study, it is aimed to research self-medication of adult ındividuals and factors affecting on it. Descriptive research study has been carried out on 160 adult ındividuals registered to a Family Health Center of Mucur District of Kırşehir. Research data has been gathered by using 27 question survey form that was developed based on literature. Number, percentage, average and chisquare tests were used in data analysis. %40,6 of individuals in research are women with avereage age of 29,10±8,54. It was determined that %23,1 of individuals has chronic illness diagnosed by doctor, %23,8 regularly take medication and average number of medication taken daily is 1,20±1,72. It was determined that more than half (%68,8) of the participants self-medicate, pain killers are the most common medications used by individuals and the primary reason for self-medication is usage of the same medicine beforehand. Not any meaningful relation between self-medication and age groups, sex, marital status, employment status, percieved income status, family structure and cohabitants of the individuals has been detected. It was found that self-medication among individuals with education level of college degree and higher is more common (p<0,05). Not any meaningful relation has been determined between self-medication and social security state of an individual, problem in access to healthcare or having chronic illness diagnosed by doctor. It was found that selfmedication ratio of individuals keeping medicines in medicine chest, refrigerators or cupboard at home is higher (p<0,05). Adults have a high rate of self-medication. Keywords: Adult individual, medcine, self-medication