Determinants of Self-Medication Among Women of Reproductive Age

Background: Self-medication is a potential risk for women of reproductive age, which can lead to many complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of self-medication prevention behaviors (SMPB) in women of reproductive age based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 individuals randomly selected from those who visited comprehensive health centers in the Salas-e Babajani county, Kermanshah, in western Iran in 2021. Women filled out a self-report questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software using Pearson correlation and linear regression tests. Results: The average age of women was 33.24±7.65 years, and their age range was 15–49 years. Further, 59.2% and 100% of participants had used prescription-only (POM) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications in the past three months, respectively. Additionally, 18.7% reported a history of smoking. Age (beta=0.109 and P=0.040), susceptibility (beta=0.179 and P=0.019), and cues to action (beta=0.440 and P<0.001) were all found to be predictors of SMPB. The HBM variables accounted for 47% of the variation in the outcome measure of the SMPB. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication was high. It seems that the development and implementation of perceived susceptibility promotion programs toward the complications of self-medication in women of reproductive age can lead to useful findings in the prevention of self-medication. In addition, health educators should prioritize identifying the key cues to actions that motivate individuals to avoid self-medication. Valuable recommendations from doctors, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and environmental advertisements can also provide useful insights into self-medication prevention in women of reproductive age.