Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2394-2738.2017.0031 The Journal of Community Health Management, October-December 2017;4(4):148-152 148 Practice of self-care and self-medications among government health care providers A Rohit 1,* , PS Balu 2 , MP Poornima 3 , SK Raghavendra 4 1,3,4 Assistant Professor, 2 Professor & HOD, Dept. of Community Medicine, 1,2,3 JJM Medical College, Davanagere, 4 Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya District, India *Corresponding Author: Email: drrohita@gmail.com Abstract Aim: To identify the self-screening and periodic health check-up practice among government health personnel. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among qualified allopathic government doctors regarding self- care practices like measuring of blood pressure, blood sugar estimation, visiting dentist , breast self-examination and undergoing cancer cervix screening and self-medication practices. Results: Among the 52 subjects who took part in the study, majority of the study subjects [n=21, 40.4%] said that they got their blood sugar examined once in 12 months at least, more than 90% of the study subjects got their blood pressure checked once in a year or more [n=49, 94.2%] and majority had rarely visited the dentist [n=27, 51.9%]. Among the 15 female subjects, majority did breast self-examination [BSE] done at least once in a year or more [n=45, 86.5%] but majority said that they rarely [n=10, 66.7%] underwent screening for cancer cervix screening in their lifetime. Regarding self-medication, all study subjects said that had self-medicated and when sick, majority said that they rarely [n=37, 71.2%] consulted another doctor, majority said that they have rarely [n=19, 36.5%] practiced isolation when sick with infectious disease and have sometimes gone to work when sick [n=26, 50%]. Conclusion: There is need for improving knowledge of self-care and self-medication among medical practitioners, which will influence their attitudes, behaviours toward personal and patient level screening. A self-care workbook for doctors can be developed with on-going training, support and evaluation. Keywords: Self-care, Self-medication, Health personnel, Cross sectional. Introduction Health personnel are at higher risk of contracting infection due to nature of their job, subjected to undue stress and pressure in work environment which will have an impact on their health status. It is important that the guardians of society’s health also take care of their own health and know about the self-care and self- medication practice. Self-care: Self-care is the primary resource of any health care system involving what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, prevent and deal with illness, influenced by number of factors like hygiene , nutrition , lifestyle ,environmental ,socioeconomic factors , self-medication, public health, ready access to drugs. (1) Self-care involves paying attention to the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life. (2) Medical practitioners enjoy somewhat better health on average than the general population, primarily due to their socio-economic status rather than their medical occupation, the exception being a lower risk of smoking-related illness, alcoholism and drug abuse. There is also compelling evidence of an increased suicide risk for all medical practitioners but particularly for female doctors. Working while ill is more common among doctors than other occupations. Thou doctors rate well on preventative health measures they tend not to seek independent medical advice for themselves and are inclined to self-medicate increasing the risk of drug abuse. (1) Self-Medication: Self-medication is one element of self-care and is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognised illnesses or symptoms. (1) It is widely practiced worldwide in urban and rural population including developing countries like India as it provides a low cost alternative for people. It is an important issue as far as the health of an individual is concerned and can prevent and treat ailments that don’t require medical consultation if it is accompanied by appropriate health information. (3) Self- medication involves acquiring medicines without a prescription, resubmitting old prescriptions to purchase medicines or using leftover medicines stored at home. Not much is known about self- medication. (4) It is influenced by multiple socioeconomic and epidemiological factor. (5) Responsible self- medication can reduce the burden on health care facilities by decreasing the cost and time people spend to visit health care facilities for minor symptoms. Inappropriate self-medication can have a number of potential risks. (6) Stress and work environment: Doctors are the serious sufferers of organizational role stress. (7) Stress management is of special relevance to doctors who encounter extreme challenges in their professional and personal life. (8)