Evaluation of self-medication practices among undergraduate medical students in a medical institute of North India

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of self-medication (SM) all over the world is high ranging from 31% up to 81.5%. Medical students and health-care professionals because of the competitiveness, commitment, and regularity in studying or work find it difficult to take medical consultations and can resort to SM. Aim and Objective: This study is designed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for SM among population of medical students over the past 2 months in a medical institute in North India. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among the 1st and 5th semester students of a medical institute in North India, from May 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016. After taking informed consent, data were collected using a structured and pre-validated questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 138 students consented to participate in the present study, of which 42.8% were male and 57.2% were female. About 42% and 58% were studying in the 1st semester and 5th semester, respectively. We observed that 84 (60.9%) students practiced SM in the preceding 2 months with significant 54 (64.3%) female participants outnumbering male participants 30 (35.7%). The prevalence of SM was significantly more in the 5th semester (90%) as compared to the 1st semester 19%. Headache 18 (21.4%) was the most frequently reported illnesses and analgesics 36 (42.9%) were the most commonly used drug class. Respondents got information about drugs by reading medical textbooks 32 (38.1%) followed by previous prescriptions 8 (9.5%). Conclusion: The widespread use of SM should be checked through implementation of regulations in a stricter manner, to limit the misuse and irrational use of medicine. Although it is difficult to eradicate SM altogether, various measures can be taken to discourage such practices.