Summary
TBACKGROUND AND AIMS: Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are the most frequent reason of GP consultations. However, before consulting their GP and also afterwards, patients often self-medicate themselves in these diseases. This pattern of behaviour may lead to side effects and drug interactions. It is important to know the prevalence of RTI, the number and reasons of GP consultations in their cases and the methods (both pharmaceutical and non- pharmaceutical) that patients use in such circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted between the patients belonging to two of GP practices in Łódź-Górna. Persons aged 15 and over attending practices for different reasons, between the others as accompanying persons, were included. The questionnaire included questions dealing with patient self-medication of RTIs and basic socio-demographic data. The statistical analysis was based on the complete data available for 187 persons. RESULTS: Before consulting their GP patients used to self-medicate their RTIs. Various methods of self-medication were used by studied persons, including both non-pharmaceutical methods and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The main source of information of OTC drugs were mass-media. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication of respiratory tract infections is a common phenomenon. Wide range of used methods is connected both with patients´ habits and OTC drugs advertising. The frequent use of OTC drugs by patients should by paid attention by medical staff. General practitioners should inform their patients of possible danger connected with self-medication and should encourage them not to prolong the self-medication in case of its ineffectiveness.