- ปัจจัยส่วนบุคคล สังคม และสื่อที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับการใช้ยาด้วยตนเองและ ความเสี่ยงการใช้ยาอย่างไม่เหมาะสมในจังหวัดมหาสารคาม: -

Ntapat Worapongpat

Authors

Ntapat Worapongpat Eastern Institute of Technology Suvarnabhumi (EIT) And Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahasarakham Rajabhat University

Keywords:

self-medication, risk of inappropriate drug use, personal and social factors, health impacts

Abstract

Self-medication is a common health-related behavior in Thailand and may contribute to inappropriate drug use, resulting in both short- and long-term adverse health outcomes. This quantitative study aimed to investigate the influence of personal, social, and media-related factors on self-medication and the risk of inappropriate drug use, as well as to examine self-medication behaviors and their long-term health impacts among residents of Maha Sarakham Province. The study included 400 adults aged 18 years and older who had practiced self-medication. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with established content validity and reliability. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics, including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis, were employed to examine the relationships among the study variables. The findings indicated that most participants practiced self-medication by purchasing medicines from community pharmacies and nearby retail stores. Information regarding medication use was primarily obtained from family members, friends, and online media. Personal, social, and media-related factors were positively associated with the risk of inappropriate drug use (p < .05). Furthermore, these factors significantly predicted the risk of inappropriate drug use and long-term health outcomes. The findings suggest that reducing inappropriate drug use requires strengthening health literacy and promoting rational drug use, improving access to pharmacist-led consultation services, and enhancing the regulation and quality of health information disseminated through online media to support the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

Author Biography

Ntapat Worapongpat, Eastern Institute of Technology Suvarnabhumi (EIT) And Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahasarakham Rajabhat University

Nonthaburi

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