Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice regarding self-medication among medical, dental and paramedical students in a tertiary care hospital

Authors

  • Madhulika Johnson Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Punjab, India
  • Dinesh Kumar Badyal Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20183497

Keywords:

Dental, Medical, Para-medical students, Self-medication

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is practiced universally. Having medical knowledge plays a vital role in its prevalence. It is more prevalent in higher education course students especially medical students. However, it is increasing in dental and paramedical students. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate self-medication among medical, dental and para-medical students in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted among 449 undergraduate students. They were divided into three groups. A questionnaire was developed based on literature. The questionnaire was validated and finalised. The paper questionnaire was administered to students. The data collected from questionnaires was analysed. The results were expressed as percentages and frequencies.

Results: The male female ratio of students who filled questionnaire was 65:35. All the students (100%) reported that they practice self-medication. The most common reason for self-medication was prior experience (36%) in group A as well as in group B (46%), but in group C, 39% mentioned no serious problem. Main information source was family members in all the groups (A 57%, B 53%, C 29%) followed by advice from senior/friends. Fever was most common symptom reported (29%) by group A followed headache (28%) in group C and cough and cold (23%) in group B. The commonest group of drugs used is cough syrups (25%) in group B, followed by analgesics (23%) in group C and antipyretics (21%) in group A.

Conclusions: Self-medication is growing among dental and paramedical students too. It is necessary to educate them about self-medication to prevent future disastrous consequences as well as to make them aware of appropriate use of self-medication.

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Published

2018-08-23

How to Cite

Johnson, M., & Badyal, D. K. (2018). Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice regarding self-medication among medical, dental and paramedical students in a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 7(9), 1822–1828. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20183497

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Original Research Articles