Evaluation of self-medication patterns among under-graduate medical students of Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences, Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

Authors

  • Shwetha Shivamurthy Department of Pharmacology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G. Nagar, Karnataka, India
  • Ravi Shankar Manchukonda Department of Pharmacology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G. Nagar, Karnataka, India
  • Deepika Gurappanavar Department of Pharmacology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G. Nagar, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20161553

Keywords:

Self‐medication, Undergraduate medical students, OTC, Cross-sectional questionnaire based study, Adverse effects

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is the treatment of common health problems with medicines that are taken on patient's own initiative or on advice of a pharmacist, without professional supervision. It is now becoming a common practice in many countries mainly due to lack of access to health care, easy availability of OTC (over the counter) drugs in market and poor drug regulatory practices. It assumes special significance among medical students as they are aware of the available medications.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was done from among undergraduate medical students, Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences (AIMS), BG Nagar, Karnataka, India. A structured questionnaire was given to medical students of all 4 years. Consent was taken from the students.

Results: Our results showed that 66% of the AIMS undergraduate students practiced self-medication. Paracetamol (40.8%) was the most common self-medicated drug followed by antihistaminics (20.2%), antimicrobial drugs (8.1%), analgesics (7%) and others. Fever (33.2%) was the most common illness for opting self-medication followed by upper respiratory tract infection (23.1%), headache (17%), allergy (6.64%), diarrhea (6.3%), menstrual pain (2.53%) and others. Most common reason for opting self-medication was the illness being too trivial.

Conclusions: The prevalence of self‐medication among medical students is high, facilitated by the easy availability of drugs and information from textbooks or seniors. A significant number of students were unaware of the adverse effects of the medications that they themselves take and suggest to others. Therefore, potential problems of self‐medication should be emphasized to the students.

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Published

2016-12-30

How to Cite

Shivamurthy, S., Manchukonda, R. S., & Gurappanavar, D. (2016). Evaluation of self-medication patterns among under-graduate medical students of Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences, Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 5(3), 965–968. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20161553

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Original Research Articles