A descriptive study of self-medication practices among Sri Lankan national level athletes
| Autor: | Senaka Pilapitiya, A. D. A. Fernando, L. M. H. Bandara, H. M. S. T. Bandara, A. de Silva |
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| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male medicine.medical_specialty Adolescent Alternative medicine lcsh:Medicine Pharmacy Self Medication General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology 03 medical and health sciences Young Adult 0302 clinical medicine Musculoskeletal Pain medicine Allopathic medicine Humans 030212 general & internal medicine Young adult Medical prescription Self-medication lcsh:Science (General) lcsh:QH301-705.5 Sri Lanka biology Traditional medicine Athletes business.industry Herbal/traditional medicine lcsh:R Anti-Inflammatory Agents Non-Steroidal 030229 sport sciences General Medicine biology.organism_classification Anti-Bacterial Agents lcsh:Biology (General) Family medicine Female Plant Preparations business Developed country lcsh:Q1-390 Research Article |
| Zdroj: | BMC Research Notes BMC Research Notes, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2017) |
| ISSN: | 1756-0500 |
| Popis: | Background Intake of medicines and supplements is widespread among the professional athletes in developed countries and there are reports to suggest inappropriate self-administration of medicine. Data from South Asia on this area is lacking. This study examined self-medication practices with regard to use of allopathic and herbal/traditional medicines among national -level Sri Lankan athletes. Results 209 athletes from 15 national sport teams were assessed using an anonymous, interviewer administered questionnaire. Self-medication practices during the 3 months before data collection were evaluated. 60.8% athletes practiced self-medication. 58.3 and 9.4% consumed western and herbal/traditional medicines respectively, while a third used both. The most common symptom for which self-medication was practiced was musculoskeletal pain (73.2%). Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics were used by 15.7 and 7.1% respectively. Musculoskeletal pain was the predominant symptom that prompted the use of allopathic medicines, while the majority of athletes with upper respiratory tract symptoms being the predominant symptoms, consumed herbal/traditional medicines. Two different commercially available preparations of herbal mixtures were consumed by 15.7 and 15%. Pain prophylaxis during or prior to a sport event was reported by 20.1%, mainly with topical medicines. Medicines were obtained by direct request from a pharmacy without an authorized prescription by a majority (77.2%), followed by using an old prescription in 12.6%. Conclusions This study finds that self-medication with both allopathic and herbal/traditional preparations among athletes in a Sri Lanka is high. The use of oral NSAIDs without an authorized prescription in a significant number of athletes is a potential health risk. Frequency of oral NSAID use is lower than that is reported in non-Asian studies from developed countries. The use of herbal/traditional medications increases the likelihood of inadvertent doping. Enhancing awareness regarding risk of such practices among athletes, trainers, pharmacists and prescribers is essential. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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