Evaluation of self-medication practices in acute diseases among university students in Oman

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the practices of university students towards self-medication to treat minor ailments in Muscat and Sohar region of Sultanate of Oman. MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in October 2013-January 2014. A total of 450 university students were randomly selected and their verbal consent was obtained. The data were collected through the self-administered, close ended, pretested questionnaire and was analyzed statistically by SPSS version 19.0. ResultsOverall 204 males (45.3%) and 246 females (56.7%) participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 22.3 years. Ninety-four percent of respondents reported practicing self-medication and 165 (36.7%) participants admitted of having purchased drugs without prescription more than four times over the last six months. Headache, fever, cough and cold were the most common ailments which prompted respondents to seek self-medication. Analgesics, cough preparations and antibiotics were the most common classes of drugs used in self-medication. The majority of respondents practiced self-medication either because their illness was not serious or they had prior experience with the drug. The majority of respondents had good medication knowledge which they reported to acquire from reading drug leaflet or from pharmacists' advice. ConclusionThe prevalence of self-medication among university students was very high. There is a need for intensive education and comprehensive awareness campaign to advocate for reduction in the prevalence of self-medication practices among students.