Introduction: Self-medication is a common practice worldwide. Major problems related to self-medication are wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens, adverse reactions, and prolonged suffering. This study aimed to find the prevalence of self-medication among medical students and staffs of a tertiary care centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students and staffs of a tertiary care centre from 1st November to 30th November, 2021. Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2710202102). Convenience sampling was done to reach the sample size. Online questionnaires consisting of information on self-medication and socio-demographic characteristics were used. The data was transferred into an Excel spreadsheet and later was exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 for analysis. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Among 383 participants, the prevalence of self-medication during the pandemic was 193 (50.4%) (45.39-55.40 at 95% Confidence Interval). About half of the respondents 90 (50.3%) who self-medicated purchased the medicines directly from the pharmacy. The most consumed medicines were Paracetamol 128 (18.9%), Vitamin C 126 (18.6%), Zinc 86 (12.7%), Multivitamins 75 (11.1%), and Vitamin D 65 (9.6%) followed by Azithromycin 54 (8%), cough syrup 53 (7.8%) and Ibuprofen 46 (6.8%). Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic is lower compared to that of other developing countries. Paracetamol and Vitamin C are the most consumed drugs for self-medication and Azithromycin is the most used prescription-only drug for self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction: Lipids contribute to atherosclerosis and obesity that can lead to different cardiovascular diseases. Statins are hydroxymethylglutaryl reductase inhibitors that effectively lower the cholesterol level. It is widely prescribed in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Thus it optimizes the lipoprotein profile. The selection of a particular drug by the practitioner should be primarily based on clinical outcome. This study was conducted to find the type of statins that are most preferred by the doctors for treating dyslipidemia and preferred the fixed-dose in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among the practicing doctors of Kathmandu Medical College from July to August 2020. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of the college (Ref: 207202006). Convenient sampling was done. A semi-structured questionnaire was used with consent. The data were analyzed with Social Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: Statins, with the score 4.25 was accounted for most preferred for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Among different statins, atorvastatin with a score of 4.48 was most popular followed by rosuvastatin 2.9 score and simvastatin 2.1 scores. Conclusions: Statins were the most preferred agents for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Although different types of statins ought to have similar efficacy in treating dyslipidemia, atorvastatin was found to be popular and the most commonly prescribed one. The most common side effect reported with statins was myopathy.
Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common infections in the paediatric population leading to health care consultations. Antihistamines are commonly prescribed medicines in children. Objectives: This study attempted to assess the current prescription patterns of antihistamines used in the treatment of URTIs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient paediatric department of Kathmandu Medical College from January 2020 to April 2021. Ethical approval was taken from Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College. A convenient sampling technique was used. The data were collected from the outpatient department prescription card into a suitably designed proforma. Drug use indicator developed by the World Health Organisation for Rational Use of Drugs was utilised. Data were analysed using SPSS v.20. Results: Data from prescriptions of 345 patients aged less than 14 years were collected from the paediatric outpatient department of KMCTH. The most common condition was common cold (132, 38.26%). Most commonly prescribed antihistamines were Fexofenadine (156, 45.21%). Average number of drugs per prescription was 2.31. The total number of drugs prescribed by generic name was 128 (16%). Antibiotics made its place in prescriptions 279 (34.96%) times. No parenteral medication was used and 140 (17.5 %) of all drugs prescribed were from the National List of Essential Medicines. Conclusion: Antihistamines, mostly second generation, were commonly prescribed in URTIs in paediatric patients. Majority of WHO indicators were within normal limits while some needed marked improvement. Different programmes can be implemented for improvement in prescribing patterns and promotion of rational drug use.
Background: In Nepal herbal medicines are popular and are used along with or instead of allopathic medicines. Scarcity of efficient and new pharmacological treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 has made people find alternative ways to prevent or treat the disease, including measures like use of herbal products. Evidence-based use of herbal products should be implemented to ensure patient safety. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of use of herbal products during COVID-19 and to find patients perception regarding their use. Methods: A descriptive online cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Nepali population from 5th February to 6th June 2021 after ethical clearance at Kathmandu Medical College. Convenience sampling was used to request 292 adults who could be traced through social media, living in Nepal, one member from one household were included. Participants unable to respond to English were excluded. Questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, use of herbal products, Likert scale to measure perception was used. Data were transferred into Excel sheet and exported to SPSS v.20 for analysis. Results: Prevalence of use of herbal products during COVID-19 was 206 (70.5%). Most common used products were Lime, Turmeric, Ginger, Honey, and Garlic. Of all, 95 (32.5%) respondents indicated that they preferred herbal products over prescription medicine for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Conclusion: The prevalence of use of herbal products was high during the COVID-19 pandemic and almost half of the participants had perception that compared to prescription medicines herbal products were safer, had less adverse effects and were of better quality.
Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems among adolescent females. It is defined as painful menses in women with normal pelvic anatomy, usually beginning during adolescence. This study aims to find out prevalence of self-medication practice in primary dysmenorrhea among medical and nursing undergraduate students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from November 2020 to March 2021 after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenient sampling technique was used. A total of 269 female medical and nursing students with complaints of dysmenorrhea were enrolled and the remedial methods used by them such as self-medication, medical advice and home remedies for dysmenorrhea were asked using an online questionnaire delivered to participants. Data analysis was done in the Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Self-medication practice for dysmenorrhea was reported in 175 (65%) of students. The prevalence of mild or moderate pain was commonly present in age group 21-25 years. commonly used for self-medication was mefenamic acid 121 (48%), followed by ibuprofen 51 (20.3%) and paracetamol 41 (16.3%). Conclusions: Self- medication practice among medical and nursing undergraduate students is high despite awareness of adverse effects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.