Exploring self-medication and home remedy practices in rural Karachi: a cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Background: The consumption of self-medication and home remedies is on the rise because of the inaccessibility of proper formal health services in most regions and particularly in the rural regions where there is a low availability of formal health services. Socioeconomic factors such as low education, poverty, and poor health infrastructure are some of the causes of negative health outcomes experienced by rural Pakistan. This study was designed to investigate the extent and determinants of self-medication and home remedy usage in rural Karachi, Pakistan.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire among 100 participants in the age group of 20 to 60 years by using a random sampling technique in 2 months from 1^st August 2024 to 30^th September 2024. A questionnaire was used to gather data on demographic characteristics, treatment orientation, reasons for self-medication, health conditions, frequency, and its impact on health outcomes and quality of life. The questionnaire was pre-tested on 10 individuals and had a reliability of 0.82.

Results:  The findings indicated that (n=81) 81% of the participants resorted to home medication, primarily for hypertension, 51%, diabetes20%, and gynecological problems 18%  and 11  asthma problems 11% .Key barriers to seeking formal healthcare included limited healthcare access  (n=46) 46%, economic constraints (n=38) 38%, and mistrust in healthcare providers (n=16)  16% . While (n=17) 17% of participants reported some health improvement from home remedies, (n=83) 83% experienced health complications, highlighting the risks of relying on self-medication.

Conclusion: This research paper highlights the importance of socio-economic determinants in determining the health seeking behavior amongst rural populations and the necessity to hasten the process of enhancing health care access, public health education as well as specific interventions aimed at decreasing the rate of self-medication and home remedies.