Self-medication among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities – Iraq

Abstract

Background
 Introduction:
 Self -medication(SM) is worldwide issue, that have serious adverse effects on individuals and communities
 Method:
 A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities during the period from February to March 2018. The subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire that consisted from questions for age, gender, educational level, and employment status, in addition, questions for self-medication history.
 Results: 
 The results revealed that 73% of medical students had practice of self- medication. Higher prevalence of self-medication was among students of 5th study year. Antibiotics was most frequent medicine that used by 137 (49.6%) of the participants, followed by analgesic (29%), and supplements by 40 (14.5%). The most reasons for using self-medication were previous prescription and advising of pharmacists.
 Conclusion: 
 High prevalence of self- medication among medical students in Falluja & Anbar Universities and there was statistical significant association between gender and self- medication practice.