Abstract

Introduction: Irrational use of medicines is a major problem worldwide. WHO estimates that more than half of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, and that half of all patients fail to take them correctly. The present study was under taken with the objectives to assess the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in non teaching staff working in a tertiary care center,to study the various socio-economic determinants resulting in self-medication in the above group,to give health education about rational drug usage.Methodology:Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation is the selected teritiary health care center. It is located in Gannavaram, Krishna district, Andhrapradesh. All the non-teaching staff were included in the study.This group consists of administrative,technical,non-technical and class IV workers. Sample size of 195 members were present in this study. Results:Out of the 195 participants,64.6% of study subjects were female, Majority of the participants (65.6%) were aged ≥30 Years, 107(54.9%) were class IV workers and remaining 88(45.1%) were grouped under class I,II,III. 45.6%of study participants were purchasing drugs directly from the medical shop during their illness. Only 47.20% of study participants purchased and taken full course of antibiotics.62.60% of participants did not have any knowledge about Antibiotics and Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR).Conclusions: Results are indicating a need for changing policy from top to bottom, Information regarding Anti Microbial Resistance should be given from time to time to Non-Teaching cadre. Healthy non teaching staff with more knowledge about public health problems can act as Role Models in the society.