Thuy Quynh Nguyen, PhD, Thi Thu Thuy Tran, MSc, Thi Vui Le, MPH, Thi Tu Bui Quyen, PhD, Van Hung Trinh, PhD, Huu Bich Tran, PhD

Abstract

Self-treatment is particularly prevalent in Vietnam. However, the prevalence of this practice among the working population is unclear. This study aims to describe the prevalence of self-treatment and related factors among workers aged 15 to 60 years in the suburban area of Chi Linh, Hai Duong, Vietnam. Secondary data of 3128 respondents was retrieved from the CHILILAB HDSS 2016 survey for analysis using logistic regression with a significance level of .05. Results show that 47.5% of respondents treated themselves at least once during one previous year. While rural residence and the presence of acute health symptoms and chronic diseases significantly associate with the choice of self-treatment among all investigated workers, lower education level and health insurance status only significantly relate to this practice among the formally employed workers. The findings imply the need for specific measures to manage self-treatment practices among different groups of workers.

Full-text link:

• http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1010539517718332
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28719771

Source: Center for Population Health Sciences (CPHS) – Hanoi University of Public Health