Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42382490›Full record

ArticleHealth science reports2026

Exploring the Factors Influencing the Non-Prescription Use of Medication in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sumaia Rahman, S M Mahadi Hasan, Md Omar Faruk, Md Aminul Islam Nur, Mst Hajera Khatun

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health science reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sumaia RahmanDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Varendra University Rajshahi Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1169-6210
S M Mahadi HasanDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Varendra University Rajshahi Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1052-5245
Md Omar FarukDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Varendra University Rajshahi Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5279-3174
Md Aminul Islam NurDepartment of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Varendra University Rajshahi Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5154-5146
Mst Hajera KhatunDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Science and Technology Varendra University Rajshahi Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6465-3444

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and Aims: Use of non-prescription drugs is a significant health concern for the population in Bangladesh. The ease of access to medicines, the high price of healthcare and lack of information on how to take the drugs properly promote such a practice. The purpose of the study was to single out the demographic, behavioral, and knowledge-related variables connected with taking medicines without a doctor's prescription. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 504 participants through online and face-to-face data collection. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data, behavior related to medication use, and knowledge concerning medicine regulations. The data was summarized using descriptive statistics. The Chi-square test was used to test the relationship between variables. The use of multinomial logistic regression (MLR) analysis revealed predictors that are significant. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were provided, with Results: One in five respondents had taken over-the-counter medicines owing to the high cost of healthcare. Approximately one out of every four indicated that they could easily obtain medicines without a prescription in pharmacies. The majority of the participants (82.1%) felt that there should be a public education program to ensure that people do not use improper medications. The results of the MLR analysis revealed that self-diagnosing individuals tended to overdose (OR = 2.806; 95% CI: 1.535-5.129; Conclusion: The use of non-prescription medication is prominent in Bangladesh and is determined by self-diagnosis, easy access to drugs, and also ignorance. This practice can be minimized by employing public awareness programs and enhanced regulation.

Indexed as

Bangladeshnon‐prescription medicationprescription‐freeself‐medication

Identifiers

PMID42382490
PMCPMC13316817

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.