Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Self-Medication in Sore Throat: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication is a prevalent problem worldwide. Especially, knowing the pattern among medical students is pertinent as they would be future physicians. It would be interesting to find out their self-medication practices in common ailment such as sore throat. Aim: To study the patterns of self-medication in sore throat among medical students. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online questionnaire based survey (via google forms) conducted in Muzaffarnagar Medical College in October 2020-November 2020. Total 450 students form 2nd, 3rd and final year (150 per batch) were enrolled. Out of these, only 213 consented and participated in the study (82 from 2nd year, 93 from 3rd year and 38 from final year). Results were expressed as counts (n) and percentages (%) statistical analysis was done wherever appropriate. Results: Out of 213 (113 females and 100 males), who participated in the survey, 190 (89.2%) suffered from sore throat in last 1 year and 111 (58.42%) of these self-medicated for it. Self-medication practices increased with professional year, highest being in final year (27 of 38, 71.05%). Most common class of drug used was antibiotic (consumed by n=95, 85.59%). It was followed by analgesic/antipyretic (n=82, 73.87%) and antihistaminic (n=75, 67.57%). Overall, azithromycin was the most favoured independent drug for sore throat (n=68, 71.58%). More than half of the students who preferred antibiotic other than azithromycin (n=14/27, 51.85%), discontinued it within 3 days. Majority of students (n=126, 59.15%) did not support self-medication whereas 87 students (40.85%) believed self-medication to be good. Almost 1/5th of the students (n=46, 21.60%) confirmed that they will self-medicate in future, 107(50.23%) were not sure and only 60 (28.17%) refused to practice self-medication. One fifth students (n=42, 19.72%) felt that self-medication is a part of self-care and 30 (14.08%) would recommend it to others also. Prevalence of self-medication in sore throat was in 111 students (58.42%). Conclusion: A rising trend with progression of professional year was observed. An alarming fact in the present study was the high use of antibiotic in sore throat by our undergraduates. The students need to understand the indications of the medicines they prescribe to themselves or others.