Main Reason For Self-medication Research Articles

Research on current issues of self-medication among young people

The aim of the work is to determine the prevalence of self-medication among young people and their attitude to it, with the further development of recommendations for pharmacists regarding the prevention of negative consequences of self-medication and the improvement of pharmaceutical assistance (educational activities) in matters of responsible self-medication. Materials and methods. The work used methods of information search, survey, critical analysis, generalization, and interpretation of results. The survey took place online from January to May 2024, using the developed questionnaire (the electronic version was created using Google Forms). A total of 207 questionnaires were received from people aged 20–25. Results. Mostly, it is difficult for young people to determine their attitude toward self-medication. During treatment, a large number of research participants use the advice of doctors and pharmacists. 75.8 % of respondents always study the instructions for the medical use of drugs before using them. Basically, young people do not increase the dose of drugs arbitrarily to speed up their recovery. Almost half of them do not change the prescribed medications by the doctor to cheaper analogs. According to the research participants, half of them consider an adequate amount of drugs in the form of two names, and this is confirmed by the fact that 83.6 % of them had cases of simultaneous administration of more than one drug. After undergoing self-treatment, 75.8 % of respondents consider it not always practical, among which 13.5 % indicate that it was necessary to consult a doctor. Conclusions. The prevalence and attitude toward self-medication among young people were studied. The main reasons for self-medication are the difficulty of getting to a doctor’s appointment and lack of time, as well as the reduction of disease symptoms after self-diagnosis and the use of drugs and preventive measures. It should be noted, that 23.2 % of young people nevertheless turned to a doctor after receiving negative manifestations of self-medication, and half of the respondents shared their experience of self-medication. The obtained information can be useful for pharmacy institutions, which can use it to create a comprehensive model of a program for the prevention of negative consequences of self-medication, especially among young people, and increase patients’ commitment to the pharmaceutical enterprise.

Exploring self-medication patterns among students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A comparative analysis between medical and non-medical disciplines.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among students with medical and non-medical backgrounds in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Medical and Non-medical Universities of Peshawar. Period: May to October 2022. Methods: For this comparative analysis, sample size was calculated based on the formula of Cochran, taking a 95% confidence level with 5% precision. The sampling was conducted using a non-probability convenience approach. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with the help of SPSS v.25. Results: A study sample of 427 participants with a 95% response yielded 212 medical students and 215 non-medical students. The prevalence of self-medication among medical and non-medical students was 35.36% and 39.35%, respectively. The occurrence of self-medication was reported as 7% daily, 11% weekly, 11% fortnightly, and 71% monthly. Among the reasons for self-medication, headache was the most common (49.65%), followed by cough/sore throat/cold (31.85%), fever (26.46%), generalized body aches (17.56%), heartburn/indigestion (14.75%), nausea/vomiting (9.36%), constipation (4.91%), anxiety/depression (4.68%), and insomnia (3.51%), while 8.89% constitutes other factors like allergies, skin rashes, and weight loss. The main reason for self-medication was the mild nature of the illness, which accounted for 31.85% of cases. Conclusion: The study indicated a considerable number of student population involved in self-medication practices. The prevalence of this behavior is slightly more common among non-medical students than medical students. Various factors contribute to self-medication ranging from physical symptoms to mental health issues.

Dispensing Errors and Self-medication Practices-Pharmacists' Experience in Tabuk: A Cross-sectional Study.

Community pharmacists are engaged in various professional activities starting from drug dispensing to promoting the well-being of patients. They dispense medications as stated in the prescription and are also licensed to prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Self-medication is widely practiced in various countries, which may lead to irrational drug use. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors associated with dispensing errors, to find ways to minimize dispensing errors, to identify patients' reasons for self-medication, and to find the drugs commonly utilized by patients as OTC medications and the sources of their drug information. A cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 286 registered community pharmacists all over Tabuk was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Physician's unclear handwriting in the prescription was the major factor for dispensing error (2.6 out of 3) and writing the prescription clearly by the physician or using a printed form of prescription was an important factor in minimizing dispensing errors (2.91 out of 3). Previous similar complaints in the past were the main reason for self-medication (2.45 out of 3) with analgesics and antipyretics being the commonly dispensed drug groups dispensed as OTC medications (2.95 out of 3). Self-medication practices and dispensing errors are widespread in Tabuk. Antibiotics were dispensed as OTC medication, which may lead to more chance of irrational drug use. Writing the prescription clearly and legibly would reduce dispensing errors. It is the community pharmacists' responsibility to increase awareness regarding the appropriate use of drugs to the public.

SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES IN DERMATOLOGICAL DISEASES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY

Objective: The study aimed to assess the pattern and reasons for self-medication practices and its rationality in dermatological diseases among the population of the Malwa region of the central India. Methods: Individuals aged older than 18 years who were practicing self-medication and gave informed consent for participation in the study were enrolled. Doctors, pharmacists, and medical students were excluded from the study. A preformed and semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data. Results: High tendency of self-medication was seen among young adults of age between 21 and 40 years (61.42%) while it was low among aged < 20 years (15.71%) and > 50 years (7.14%). Self-medication practice was more common in people who had education between high school and graduation (72.85%) in comparison to the illiterate (7.14%) and post-graduated subjects (5.14%). Most of the subjects who had practicing self-medication were taking suggestions from the nearest medical shopkeepers (50%). The main reasons for self-medication were the non-severity of diseases (42.85%) and easy availability of medicine from medical stores without dermatologist prescription (24.28%). Conclusion: The study showed the prevalence of self-medication was nearly same in both rural and urban population. Health-care providers should educate patients on the dangers of self-medication. Such messages should be extended periodically to the community at large scale by the government health ministry/authorities. Government should enforce relevant and strict legislation, which limits the sales of drugs without prescription.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Self-Medication among Medical Students at Sudan International University, Sudan

Background: Self-medication is a practice or action taken by individuals for themselves in order to achieve and maintain health, as well as to avoid and protect against disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of self-medication among medical students at Sudan International University. Subjects & Methods: This was a prospective study that involved 288 out of 1000 students in the Faculty of Medicine at Sudan International University. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from January to March 2022 to evaluate the self-medication knowledge, attitude, and practice among first, second, and third-year medical students. Result: The age groups of this study were arranged as follows; 197(17-20 year), 72(21-23 year) and 19(>23 year). Regarding the sex of the study population, the female group was 215(74.7%) while the male group was 73(25.3%). The classification of the population according to their academic levels; as follows; first year 124 (43.1%), second year 52 (18.1%) and third year 112(38.9%). The prevalence of self-medication was found to be a common practice by the majority of the students, since 279 (96.9 %) of the study group practiced self-medication, in contrast to only 9 (3.1%), who did not deal with any self-medication. Also, the result showed that the most common drugs were; vitamins 183 (65.6%) and analgesics 176 (63.1%) followed by antibiotics 172 (61.6%). Regarding the illnesses described by the student as an indication of self-medication, they are as follows; headache is the most common (93.2%), followed by common cold and cough 211(75.6%). Concerning the source of information used by the studied population for self-medication, pharmacists were found to be the main source of information 122 (42.4%) followed by parents of the students 102 (35.4%). Furthermore, the results revealed that the main reason given for practicing self-medication by the study group was that the illness was not serious is (69.5%). Conclusion: Self-medication was found to be widely practiced in 96.9% of cases, and the main reasons for self-medication were that the disease was not serious.

SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG 1st- AND 2nd-YEAR MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES

Objective: The objectives of our study were to estimate the prevalence of self-medication, to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication, and to compare the risk factors of self-medication practices among 1st-and 2nd-year medical undergraduates, of a Government Medical College in Kerala, India. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and informed consent. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed and variables associated with self-medication were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to compute adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: The response rate was 59.47% (233/375). More than three-quarters of the participants responded correctly to the query on definition of over-the counter drug. As compared to 46.8% of 1st years, 67.6% of 2nd years had practiced self-medication in the past 6 months. The most common medical condition/symptom for consuming self-medication was for managing the common cold and paracetamol was the most common medication. The risk of developing adverse drug reactions was considered a serious threat after self-medication by around three-quarters of the participants. There was a significant association of self-medication practice among the 2nd years as compared to the 1st years (p=0.009, OR-1.64 (95% CI 1.16–2.31). Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication was high among medical students and there was a greater risk of self-medication among the 2nd years (1.64 times) as compared to the 1st-year students. The study revealed that the students exhibited inadequate knowledge regarding appropriate self-medication. Although they had a positive attitude toward self-medication they commonly engaged in inadequate self-medication practices. Knowledge of medicines obtained for similar previous illnesses and the feeling that there is no need to consult a doctor for minor ailments that were the main reasons for self-medication.

Factors causing self-medication in nursing students

Introduction: self-medication is the use of medications on one's own initiative to alleviate or cure some ailment, this practice may have positive points in favor of the economy and demand of health centers worldwide, however, the negative consequences are more relevant, such as future antibiotic resistance, misdiagnosis or treatment and combinations of drugs that can cause adverse reactions. Objective: to identify the factors that cause self-medication in nursing students of the Technical University of Ambato. Methods: a quantitative research with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was carried out. A total of 183 nursing students from the fifth, sixth and seventh semesters of the Technical University of Ambato participated in the study. A 23-item questionnaire with a validity of 97,2 % and reliability of 86,3 % was applied. Results: 97,3 % prevalence of low frequency self-medication (80,9 %) was reported, where the main reason for self-medication was the consideration of mild symptoms with 82 % and the most commonly used drugs were analgesics with 94,5 %. Conclusions: there is a high prevalence of self-medication in nursing students, which leads to take informative measures to avoid or decrease this percentage in students and population in the future

Prevalence and reasons for self-medication for prevention of COVID-19 among the adult population in Kermanshah-Iran.

To determine the prevalence of self-medication and reasons for self-medication (SM) for the prevention/treatment of COVID-19 among the adult population. Cross-sectional study. This study was performed on 147 adults in Kermanshah, Iran. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire and analysed by SPSS-18 software using descriptive and inferential statistics. The prevalence of SM in the participants was 69.4%. Vitamin D and vitamin B complex were the most commonly used drugs. The most common symptoms leading to SM were fatigue and rhinitis. Strengthening the immune system and prevention of COVID-19 (48%) were the main reasons for SM. Factors related to SM included marital status [OR=8.04, 95% CI=(3.62, 17.83)], education [OR=0.16, 95%CI=(0.08, 0.35)] and monthly income [OR=0.09, 95%CI=(0.03, 0.26)]. Yes.

Prevalence of self-medication and associated factors among female students of health science colleges at Majmaah University: A cross-sectional study.

Globally, the prevalence of self-medication among young people has increased exponentially. Due to the basic knowledge and easy access to medicines, undergraduate students at health science colleges are likely to self-medicate. This research was undertaken to assess self-medication prevalence and its contributing factors among female undergraduate students in health science colleges at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 214 female students from the Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia's health science colleges-Medical: (82, 38.31%) and Applied Medical Science College (132, 61.68%)-was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire with sociodemographic information, drugs used, and reasons for self-medication was used for the survey. Non-probability sampling techniques were used to recruit participants. Of the 214 female participants, 173, 80.84 % (medical: 82, 38.31% and applied medical science: 132, 61.68%) confirmed that they were on self-medication. The majority of participants (42.1%) were between the ages of 20 and 21.5 years (mean ± SD: 20.81 ± 1.4). The main reasons for self-medication were quick relief from the illness (77.5%) followed by saving time (76.3%), minor illnesses (71.1%), self-confidence (56.7%), and laziness (56.7%). The use of leftover drugs at home was common among applied medical science students (39.9%). The main indication for self-medication included menstrual problems (82.7 %), headache (79.8%), fever (72.8%), pain (71.1%), and stress (35.3%). The most common drugs used included antipyretic and analgesics (84.4%), antispasmodics (78.9%), antibiotics (76.9%), antacids (68.2%), multivitamins, and dietary supplements (66.5%). On the contrary, the least used drugs were antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedatives (3.5, 5.8, and 7.5 %, respectively). Family members were the main source of information for self-medication (67.1%), followed by self-acquired knowledge (64.7%), social media (55.5%), and least were friends (31.2%). For adverse effects of the medication, the majority of them consulted the physician (85%) followed by consulting the pharmacist (56.7%) and switched to other drugs or decreased drug dosage. Quick relief, saving time, and minor illness were the main reasons for self-medication among health science college students. It is recommended to conduct awareness programs, workshops, and seminars to educate on the benefits and adverse effects of self-medication.

Self-medication practice for dental problems: A cross-sectional study among adults in Kuantan, Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia

Aim: To investigate the prevalence, attitude, and pattern of self-medication practice for dental problems among adults in Kuantan, the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults over 18 years of age who live in Kuantan via self-administered online- and paper-based bilingual questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were run using IBM SPSS® Version 26 software. Results: From 275 respondents, one-fifth of respondents (21.8%) practised self-medication for dental problems and most of them obtained a mean attitude score of 21.7 ± 2.5% out of 25. Most self-medicating respondents were from the age group of 18–27 years (78.3%), females (55%), singles (78.3%), resides urban area (75.0%), and students (71.7%), with a household income of X2 (1, N = 275) = 4.916, P < 0.05. Most of self-medicating respondents gained information related to self-medication from internet (62.0%) and obtained medication from pharmacy (78.0%). The major dental problem that triggered them to self-medicate was toothache (76.0%), and the majority used paracetamol for pain relief (62.0%). Their main reason for self-medication was the perceived mildness of the dental problems (60.0%). Conclusion: Adult populations in Kuantan, Pahang have moderate prevalence (21.8%) in self-medicating practice for dental problems which was mainly caused by toothache and was primarily treated with over-the-counter pain-relief medication. They also have good attitude toward appropriate self-medication.

Exploring the Understanding of the Health Effects of Self-Medicating for Malaria Among Port Harcourt Residents

Abstract Self-medication is an increasing global public health issue that affects both low and middle-income countries and developed nations. The residents of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, face a serious malaria problem and have limited access to healthcare. Consequently, many of them resort to self-medication to treat the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of awareness among Port Harcourt residents about the negative consequences of self-medication for malaria on their health. A descriptive survey method was employed to select 105 participants randomly from two local government districts in Port Harcourt. The collected data were analyzed using percentage-based descriptive statistics. The study found that the majority of the participants engaged in self-medication, but they were mostly uninformed about the adverse effects of self-medication for malaria on their health. The participants in the study believed that they could handle their malaria symptoms, likely due to prior experiences and a proper diagnostic laboratory test confirming their diagnosis. Low income and a lack of health insurance were identified as the main reasons for self-medication, while other factors included limited healthcare facilities, expensive drugs, the inability to afford medical expenses, proximity to hospitals, and negative perceptions of healthcare professionals. The study indicates that self-medication for malaria will persist as a problem in the research region unless measures are taken by authorities and the government to address the issue.

Self-medication with antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic resistance among population in Arar city, Saudi Arabia.

Self-medication with pharmaceutical products can be defined as the use of these products without a medical prescription, and the production, distribution, and sale of these products are the client's responsibility, while they think it is within rational usage. Among these products, antibiotics remain the most serious problem leading to the spread of antibiotic resistance, with consequences of increased morbidity, mortality, and extended hospital stays. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among Arar city population and assessing their awareness of antibiotic resistance. Data had been collected through a self-administered validated online questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using a statistical package for the social science program (SPSS) version 20. The overall number of respondents to our survey was 462, with 56.7% female and 43.3% male participants. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was (77.5%). The main reasons for self-medication with antibiotics were ease of use (54.6%) and cost-saving (24.8%). When asked about what they think about self-medication with antibiotics for self-care, 20.1% of our participants thought that it is a good practice and 41.6% thought that it is an acceptable practice. 81.4 % of respondents thought that antibiotic resistance occurs when your body becomes resistant to antibiotics and no longer works well. In the Northern region, despite the open and rapid access to medical care services, it appears that a high proportion of young adult population prefers custom antibiotics without a medical prescription.

Association of Sociodemographic Factors with Trends of Self-Medication Practice and Its Hazard Perception for Oral Health Problems among Patient

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of sociodemographic factors with the trends of self-medication practice and its hazard perception among patients METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on the patients visiting Sharif Medical and Dental College from June 2019 to June 2020. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire from 142 patients. Chi-square and fisher exact tests were used to find the association of trends of self-medication practice and hazard perception with sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: The patients in the age range of 18 to 29 years practiced self-medication the most. The triggering factor for use of medication was toothache among all ages. The most commonly used drug was reported to be analgesics. The main reason for self-medication was lack of time to visit the doctor. The females practiced self-medication more than the males. The triggering factor for both the genders was toothache and analgesics were mostly used. The patients with tertiary level education and those who were unemployed practiced self- medication the most. The triggering factor was toothache across all levels of education and employed as well as unemployed patients. Drug resistance was stated the main hazard. CONCLUSION: The triggering factor for use of medication was toothache, most commonly used drugs were analgesics and the main reason for self-medication was lack of time across all ages, both the gender, married and unmarried patients, levels of education and employment. Un-employed patients and those with tertiary level of education-practiced self- medicated themselves the most. The highest percentage of patients considered drug resistance to be the biggest hazard.

Analysis of Self-medication practices and patterns among the healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital

Over recent days self medication has become much prevalent among general population as well as medical fraternity and can cause serious implications such as financial cost, wastage of resources, drug resistance and adverse effects. More than 50% of general population have been found to implicate practice of self medication. Due to the nature of their work, the health care workers have a good idea about drug dosages and frequently indulge in self medication.This observational, questionnaire based study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining approval from IEC. Questionnaire comprising of 20 questions pertaining to self-medication such as drugs administered, the reasons for self-medications, the diseases and adverse reactions was distributed to the staff nurses, nursing assistants, lab technicians and theatre assistants. Out of 170 healthcare professionals 150 responded Of the 90 participants who had illness 73 participants (81.1%) self-medicated. The main reasons for self-medication were availability of the old prescription (32.9%), triviality of illnesses (19.2%), familiarity with the drugs (19.2%) and long distance to reach the doctor (15.1%). The drugs used were analgesics and antipyretics (NSAIDS) (78.6%), anti-ulcer drugs (20%), anti-histamines (11.4%) and antibiotics (10%).The symptoms were headache (61.4%), fever (17.1%), acidity (17.1%), cough and cold (14.3%), body pain (12.9%) and GIT (5.7%).Self medication practice among health care workers was proved to be high since they are closely related to doctors and drugs.The high prevalence has to be reduced since it could lead to drug resistance and unwanted side effects.

Pattern and determinants of self-medication among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in primary health care facilities in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Self medication in pregnancy has continued to be on the front burner of the global public health discourse due to the increased incidence of abortion, foetal malformation and antimicrobial resistance that were found to be associated with it. Inspite of this burden, in Nigeria, most studies on self-medication were conducted on the general population with only a few carried out among pregnant women. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among pregnant women in Oyo State. Methods: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional survey. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 347 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics at 56 primary health care facilities in Ogbomoso. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the practice of self-medication. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25; bivariate analysis was done using Chi-square and binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of self-medication in pregnancy. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.0 ± 6 years. The majority (76.6%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of self-medication. About half of the respondents self-medicated with the analgesics (83.1%), antibiotics (66.7%) and antimalarial drugs (28.9%). Nausea and vomiting (90.4%), diarrhoea (67.8%), back pain (62.1%) and fever (28.8%) were the common medical problems. The main reasons for self-medication were previous experience with the drugs (50.9%), the suggestion by family about the drugs (45.2%) and advice from the community pharmacists (31.6%). The proportion of the respondents who used herbal concoction was 30.0% and the reasons given for the herbal use were low cost (47.6%) and perceived efficacy (42.9%). The proportion of pregnant women who gave a history of abnormality in the previously born baby (ies) was 13.0%. Cleft lip (66.7%) was the most prevalent abnormality. The determinants of self-medication were age (aOR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.33- 0.97), education (aOR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.49 - 0.99), confidence in other health workers’ prescription (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.15 – 0.88), relief from discomfort (aOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.46 – 5.42) and suggestion by families (aOR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.62 – 8.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication was high and was more pronounced among married, urban dwellers and those with post-basic education including the respondents aged 25 years and above. This may be explained by the higher proportion of the respondents with poor knowledge of self-medication. Health education, especially during antenatal clinics, on the dangers associated with self-medication in pregnancy, is therefore recommended.

Knowledge and Practice about Self-Medication for Oral Health Problems among Population in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.

Aim:The aim of this study was to know self-medication practices among the population of Riyadh region for oral health issues.Methodology:A questionnaire consisting of demographic self-practice of medication for oral health problems and knowledge about self-medication practices was sent through Google forms and it was in Arabic and English languages. The link of the questionnaire was sent through social and requested to send the link to their friends and relatives.Results:About 50.4% of study participants were having self-practice of medication for oral health problems. Self-practice of medication for oral health issues was statistically significant according to age gender and education (P < 0.05). Toothache (62.4%) is the main problem triggering self-medication and lack of time (44.6%) is the main reason for self-medication. Pain killer (68.8%) was the main medication and antibiotics were used by 2.2% of subjects.Conclusion:Self-medication practice is prevalent in the world and hence, education regarding its consequences and adverse effects for the general public is mandatory.

PREVALENCE, PRACTICE, PERCEPTION OF SELF-MEDICATION PATTERN AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Objective: The use of drugs (prescription as well as non-prescription by the individual for treating self-diagnosed conditions/symptoms is a practice prevalent all around the world, though the extent, the reason may vary. The practice of self-medication is increasingly becoming a part of self-care. If practiced properly and with the authentic knowledge of drugs, it can save resources such as time and money. However, its improper use may lead to various health problems like adverse drug reactions, prolonged suffering, and drug-dependence and increase resistance among various pathogens. It has many implications, especially among medical students who have some knowledge and exposure to drugs and can present a serious threat to professionalism in medicine and it has the potential to put at risk public trust into this profession. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among medical students.&#x0D; Methods: Research was performed as a cross-sectional study and it included 150, 2nd year (4th semester) students of a medical college. Students filled out a questionnaire created for the purpose of this research and consisted of both open-ended and close-ended questions about demographic and self-medication Consenting students anonymously filled the questionnaire. Questions about self-medication were related to the period of the previous three months.&#x0D; Results: Out of 150 filled questionnaires, data of 126 were analysed as twenty-four Questionnaires were incomplete. 90.47%% medical students were found to practice self-medication. Symptoms for which they took the drugs for self-medication were fever (49.68%) followed by headache, common cold/cough and pain abdomen. Drugs taken by them for self-medication were Paracetamol (85.79%), antibiotics (77.54%), analgesics, Antihistaminic and cough suppressants. Ease (43.65%) was cited as the main reason for self-medication by the respondents. Most common source of drug information was their experience in the past illness (54.03%) Of the respondents 90.48% knew about adverse drug reactions and 93.65% knew about drug-drug interactions.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study shows that the practice of self-medication is rampant among medical students of the institute. In this situation, awareness should be created toward appropriate antibiotic usage and the practice of responsible self-medication needs to be promoted among future healthcare providers. Furthermore, stringent implementation of laws governing the sale of prescription medicines can help in limiting the self-medication practice.

Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication with Antifungal Drugs and Herbal Products Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt.

Background and PurposeIrrational use of drugs for self-medication (SM) is a worldwide public health problem which results in treatment failure, economic loss, and increased burden of morbidity and mortality. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore SM with antifungal drugs and herbal products among university students in Egypt.MethodsA cross-sectional sectional study was conducted over 7 months among 403 university students in Egypt. The students were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire through an online Google form. Questionnaire items included socio-demographic characteristics of the students, practice of and attitude towards SM with antifungal drugs, and SM with herbal products.ResultsPrevalence of SM with antifungal drugs among students stood at 38.2%. The main reasons for SM with antifungal drugs were perceiving their health problem as being minimal, followed by having fears of a doctor’s visit. About 73% of the students thought that SM was not a safe practice. Older age (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI= 1.3–1.8), affiliation to a private university (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI= 2.2–6.4), and being a medical student (AOR =2.4, 95% CI= 1.3–4.5) were the significant predictors of SM with antifungal drugs. A high prevalence of SM with herbal products (70.7%) was reported, with most students having used some form of herbal weight loss preparation (64%). Being a Cairo resident (AOR= 2.4, 95% CI =1.5–3.8, P<0.05) and being a medical student (AOR= 2.1, 95% CI =1.3–3.4, P<0.05) were the significant predictors of SM with herbal products.ConclusionIn the current study, SM was common among Egyptian university students. Providing counseling and public health education to university students with regards to SM is crucial. Implementing strict regulations and the full enforcement of excitant laws pertaining to the use of medication supplies is also needed. Herbal products should face the scrutiny of evidence-based medicine. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of SM among university students.

English

BACKGROUND Self-medication practice involves consumption of medicines by one’s own initiative or on the consultation of others without the guidance of a doctor. Self-medication and use of over-the-counter drugs, are worldwide health concerns. This study evaluated the prevalence, behavioural patterns, knowledge of self-medication, and the attitudes toward this practice among medical and nonmedical university students. METHODS This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among students with medical and non-medical backgrounds. A semi-structured questionnaire was constructed after reviewing literature to capture data regarding socio-demographic background, practice and knowledge of self-medication. RESULTS Out of a total of 98 students, 79.6 % of students practiced self-medication (medical - 77.5 % and non-medical - 85.2 %). The main reason for self-medication was convenience (50.8 %) and the choice of self-medication was based on their own experience (30.4 %) and previous doctors’ prescription (20.2 %). Community pharmacies (64.0 %) were the most common source of acquiring the drugs in both groups. It was observed that 53.1 % students think self-medication is an acceptable practice. 28.6% were confident of treating infectious diseases through selfmedication. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows a higher prevalence of self-medication among students. It also indicates a critical need for the implementation of quality education programs in order to prevent the self-medication among students. KEY WORDS Self-Medication, Medical, Non-Medical

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Self Medication among Medical Students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: Self-medication is a double-edged sword the proper application of which is appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines since it can reduce the unnecessary pressure on the health care system. However, self-medication can lead to severe consequences if utilized inappropriately. Furthermore, self-medication practice is an important social health issue in medical students as educated people and would-be physicians. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication in medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 296 medical students at distinct levels of education. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26). Results: Based on the findings, more than 80% of the students were aware of the complications, drug interactions, and importance of accurate use; however, only 9.1% and 27% of the participants were aware of the side-effects of herbal medicine and dietary supplements, respectively. Out of the total 296 participants, 83.5% of the cases declared that they did care about the side effects of medicines, and 81.3% of the students believed that a medical degree was essential for medicine prescription. In a confrontation with minor ailments, 21.9% of the cases practiced self-medication, and the majority (57.4%) of the used medicines were painkillers. The main reasons for self-medication was the underestimation of the disease (57.8%). Moreover, positive attitudes toward the safety of self-medication (P=0.04) and knowledge about medicine (p <0.001) were the major reasons for the self-medication practice in senior students, compared to juniors. However, no significant difference was found between seniors and juniors in terms of self-medication practice (P=0.85). Conclusion: Regarding the adverse effects of self-medication, drug dependency, microbial resistance, and high prevalence of self-medication among participants, it is suggested to provide educational programs on the adverse effects of self-medication. In addition, appropriate measures should be taken to control and prevent an easy access to medications.