A questionnaire-based exploratory study on self medication among second year MBBS students

Abstract

Background: The practice of self-medication is expected to be higher in health science students due to their exposure to knowledge about different diseases and drugs. This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication and to compare the impact of knowledge of Pharmacology on it, among second-year MBBS students.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions was prepared and given to second-year medical students of Kurnool medical college, Kurnool. Data was analysed and entered in Microsoft Excel (version 2019), and associations were tested using the Chi-square test. The results are expressed as counts and percentages. Statistical significance was p<0.05.Results: Among the respondents, 37.33% are practising self- medication, 54.66% think knowledge of Pharmacology aids students to practice without any dire consequences. Most of the students take for fever (95.33%), (97.33%) for cough, cold, sore throat.84% were aware that it’s not safe to take drugs pertaining to alternate systems of medicine like Ayurveda, homoeopathy. A statistically significant association between knowledge, attitude, practice and gender and residence has been observed.Conclusions: The study shows that students are aware that self-medication is dangerous when followed by lay people. On the other hand, health professionals with knowledge about medications can take self-medication for common conditions without any dire consequences. They are also aware that it’s not safe to take medications that come under alternate systems of medicines, and WhatsApp consultation is not to be encouraged.