Determinants of self-medication behavior and willingness in China: Evidences from Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Kunming
10.3724/SP.J.1008.2009.01274
- Author:
Li-Zang LIU
1
Author Information
1. School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Behavior;
Determinants;
Logistic regression;
Self-medication;
Willingness
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2010;30(11):1274-1280
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To understand the current status and characteristics of self-medication behavior in China and to analyze the determinants of self-medication behavior and willingness of Chinese residents. Methods: A total of 4 400 households from Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Kunming were chosen by multistage, stratified, and cluster sampling for a health survey. From a total 8 826 residents we selected 8 585 who aged over 15 years old and who gave a clear answer to whether had self-medication behavior and whether were willing to have self-medication. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between self-medication behavior and self-medication willingness, and between residents' predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and need following Andersen health utilization model. Results: When other variables were controlled, the incidences of self-medication of residents at 25-44 years, 25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years above were 1.52 folds (P = 0.000), 1.59 folds (P = 0.000), and 1.53 folds (P = 0.001) of the control group (15-24 years old). The incidence of self-medication of urban residents was significantly lower than that of the rural residents (P = 0.000). The incidence of self-medication behavior in residents with a common disorder in the last 6 months was 10.85 folds of those without common disease. The self-medication willingness of residents with chronic diseases was 1.22 folds (P = 0.035) of those without chronic diseases. The self-medication willingness of residents having a common disease in the last 6 months was 2.12 fold (P = 0.000) of those without common disorder. Conclusion: Age, urban-rural difference, knowledge of self-medication, and health status have different degrees of influence on the self-medication behavior and self-medication willingness of residents, while family income and health insurance have little influence.
