Self care in health.

ABSTRACT

The study "self care" was conducted in two Unions of one Upazila to assess prevalence, component and outcome of popular "self care" and their decision making process. Head of the family (500) and wives of the head of the family (500) were interviewed on alternate basis by trained interviewers on structured pretested questionnaire. Self care for remedial measure was universally practiced. Initial step related to treatment of diseases were "wait and see" (71.8%), "Self care" (18.4%), "Doctor/Homeopath" (9.8%). Self care was practiced by majority of the people in all other components. Those who reported "wait and see" as their first choice to deal with disease, about 79% waited for one day, 21% for two days. Education and income was found significant with practice of self care.