Self-Care Under War Conditions

This article attempts to explain the choice of treatment plan made by individuals as a result of a perceived health problem in a war-afflicted population. The prevalence of self-care in Beirut was measured and the characteristics of individuals who choose self-care versus other responses to an illness determined. The study population consisted of all individuals who experienced an ailment during the 2-week period prior to the interview (N = 1,392). Using certain sociodemographic, economic, and need factors as the independent variables and the use of home remedies as the dependent variable, a series of t-tests and Multiple Classification Analysis were performed separately on two age groups. Overall, Beirut residents were found to use home remedies rather extensively. Among individuals younger than 18 years, the type of household, religion, intake of medicine on a regular basis, and the type of ailment were significant predictors of the use of self-care. In the older age group, however, only the last two need variables were significantly related to the use of home remedies.