Socioeconomic differences in self-medication among middle-aged and older people: data from the China health and retirement longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Self-medication with over-the-counter medicines (OTCs) and prescription-only medicines (POMs) are both pervasive in China, although the latter is an inappropriate practice. We examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and self-medication with OTCs versus POMs. METHODS:Multivariate logistic regressions based on the Andersen framework were estimated using a subsample of respondents aged 45 years and over from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study collected between 2011 and 2013 (n=23 699). As dependent variables, we used OTC and POM consumption without a medical prescription. SES was operationalised by household income per capita and education. Control variables included health indicators, demographic characteristics, and health behaviours. RESULTS:

SUBMITTER: Chang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5778336 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature