In developing countries including Ethiopia studiesrnon drug utilization pattern at community levelrnparticularly on the issue of self-medication and drugrnhoarding are rare.rnstudy that wasrnThis community based cross-sectionalrnsupplimented by FGD (Focus GrouprnDiscussion) was carried out in Butajira, SouthernrnEthiopia, between September 1994- December 1994 torndetermine the extent and determinants of self-medication,rnthe extent of drug hoarding at household level and torndescribe the community's criteria for therapy choicernamong modern drugs.rnThe survey results showed that 1207 (6%) personsrnreported to have been ill in the past two weeks precedingrnthe interview date; out of which 501 (42%) didn't takernany drug or herbal medicine for their illness. Among 706rn(58%) respondents who took drugs, 201 (28.5%) self medicatedrnthemselves and the majority 115 (57%) of selfmedicationsrnwere carried out by using modern drugs.rnDeterminants of self-medication with pharmaceuticalsrnamong adults were assessed using bivariate andrnmul ti variate analysis; being from meskan sub-ethnic grouprncame out as a significant determinant { adjusted OR, 3.5rnwith 95 % CI (1.39, 8.83)}. Six hundred and eighty eightrn(14 %) of the studied households found storing drugs andrn97% of these households were found storing traditionalrnherbs. Colour, shape and dosage form are the criteriarnfor therapy choice. In addition, injections are chosenrnas the most important remedy by most participants of thernFGD.rnIn conclusion, this study highlightsrnmedication is one of the maj or form ofrnopt i ons in the studied community and itrnthat selfhealthrncarernis largelyrncarried out with modern pharmaceuticals. Finally, thernstudy recommended that health education on rational usernof drugs using local native language and local meaningsrnto pharmaceuticals is essential to avoid inappropriaternuse of drugs in self-medication. Studies to evaluaternthe effectiveness of drug information mediaÂ¥ is alsornrecommended.