DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000005285 ISSN: 2049-0801

Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of self-medication and healthcare-seeking behavior among residents in the vicinity of a tertiary healthcare center in Madhesh Province, Nepal

Lokeshwar Chaurasia, Hem Shankar Yadav, Kshitiz Shreshta, Suruchi Poudel
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Background and objectives:

Self-medication (SM) is the consumption of medicine by oneself for health-related issues without any prescription, while healthcare-seeking behavior refers to any action taken by individuals when they experience a health-related issue, with the goal of obtaining an appropriate solution. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of SM and healthcare-seeking behavior among residents in the vicinity of a tertiary healthcare center in Madhesh Province, Nepal.

Materials and methods:

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among residents in the vicinity of a Medical College in Madhesh Province, Nepal, during the period of December 2024 to May 2025. A convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of a total of 453 respondents who were willing to participate. A pretested structured questionnaire, tailored to the local context, was used to collect data from the respondents. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. The Chi-square test was performed to compare different groups. Binary logistic regression was conducted to observe the associated factors. The level of significance was set at a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistcally significant.

Results:

Out of 453 participants included in the study, with a mean age of 36.06 ± 11.99 years, the majority of respondents ( n = 389) reported SM. Twenty-seven percent of them had good knowledge, while 73% demonstrated poor knowledge, with a significant association between occupation and knowledge ( P = 0.034). A positive attitude was exhibited by 82.3% of the respondents, and a significant association was identified between knowledge and attitude ( P = 0.001). Headache was the most common ailment (84.5%), and allopathic medicines were preferred (96.6%), while pharmacy shops were the predominant source of medicine (95.4%). The main reasons for SM were a desire for quick recovery (68.6%), though 81 participants (20.8%) reported side effects. Sixty-seven point seven percent of respondents preferred nearby hospitals; however, 21.1% consulted traditional healers for health-related issues, and family and friends (61.8%) were the primary sources of health-related information.

Conclusions:

This study showed that residents near a tertiary health center in Madhesh Province commonly used both tertiary healthcare services and traditional healers, with limited awareness of services contributing to delays in seeking formal treatment. SM was highly prevalent, driven by poor knowledge, especially among agricultural workers, and easy access to medicines through pharmacies. Sociodemographic factors further shaped healthcare choices. Targeted health education, improved service awareness, and stronger pharmacy regulation are essential to promote safer and more timely healthcare utilization.

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