A Study on Usage of Household Medicine in a Rural Community

In order to find out status of household medicine usage in a rural community, a study was carried out, through analyzing the survey data regarding to household medicine usage of 188 household sampled from the 19 towns with 1. 186 families and farm house of 80% in a rural community. Su Dong-Myun, Nam Yang Zu-Gun. Kyung Gi-Do. Korea.

The following results were drawn:

1) The 80.9% of 152 respondents answered that they prepared household medicine. Only the 5.3% of them answered that they did not. The rest, 13.8% answered that they were not sure.

2) The preparation rates of oral medicine are as follows drugs for indigestion 80.3% of the highest rate, drugs for headache : 57.9%, drugs for common cold 46.7%, antibiotics: 44.1%, drugs for gastrointestinal pain and drugs for nutrition each 43.4%. and drugs for back and joint pain : 22.4% of the lowest rate.

3) The preparation rates by effect-specific kind including sanitary materials were as follows external ointment: 83.6% of the highest rate, drugs for indigestion 80.3%, antiseptic solution : 73.0%, adhesive plaster : 61.2%, drugs for headache : 57.9%, and guez and thermometer each : 15.8% of the lowest rate.

4) The preparation rates by the number of effect-specific kind of oral household medicine were as follows; three kinds 21.0% of the highest rate, five kinds : 16.4%. four kinds and two kinds : 14.5% each and seven kinds and over: 6.6% respectively.

5) The purchase-routes of household medicine were answered as follows : drug-stores : 85.5% almost all, medical facilities, shops and market each : 4.6% and peddlers : 2.0% respectively.

6) The sources of information about the household medicine were answered as follows : personnel of drug store or pharmacy : 49.3% of the highest rate. T.V. or radio: 27.0%. medical personnel : 15.8%, paper and magazine : 3.0% respectively.

7) The reasons for preparing the household medicine were answered as follows : for preventing disease and promotion of health : 37.5% of the highest rate, for convenience of home care: 26.3% for relief from preparation itself: 20.4%, and for emergent care before special treatment : 15.1% of the lowest rate.

8) The opinions about the necessity of drugs are distributed as follows ; necessary : 86.8% of the majority, not necessary : 1.3%, and not sure : 11.9% respectively.