A Study of Pattern of Self-Medication Among Students for Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the pattern of self-medication for dysmenorrhea among students and compare it between medical and non-medical students.Methods: The observational study was conducted from May to August 2014. After obtaining the Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent from all students with dysmenorrhea aged between 18 and 25 years were included in the study. Demographic details such as age and duration of dysmenorrhea per cycle were recorded. A questionnaire comprising 16 questions was administered to medical and nursing students of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical and Nursing Colleges and students attending outpatient departments of R.L.Jalappa Hospital and Research Center attached to Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: A total of 240 students (93 medical, 84 nursing, and 63 non-medical) were included in the study. The mean age was 20.1±1.8 years (medical), 20.4±1.4 years (nursing), and 21.9±1.8 years (non-medical). 46% medical, 29% non-medical, and 10% nursing students used drugs to control pain. Most commonly used drugs were mefenamic acid + dicyclomine and mefenamic acid. 56% of medical and all non-medical and nursing students did not have knowledge of side effects of drugs. Among the eight nursing students, six self-administered the drug but 54% and 56% of medical and non-medical students, respectively, followed doctor’s advice to use the pain medications. 40% of medical students self-medicated themselves.Conclusion: Medical students preferred drugs for control of menstrual pain compared to others and most commonly used drug was mefenamic acid.

Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Medical and Nursing Undergraduate Students of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…In the present study, the mean age of students was 20.88±1.51years which was more or less similar to Anand S et al 8 195 (72.5%) participants had regular menstrual cycle which was similar to the study done in India by Jayanthi B et al 9 Among 269 participants who experienced dysmenorrhea, 191 (71%) of the participants reported 4-5 days of menstrual cycle and 189 (70%) reported pain for first 2 days of menstrual flow which was similar to Banikarim C et al and Fatima A et al 10,11 Assessment of pain intensity and duration revealed that female undergraduates experience mild, moderate, severe, very severe and worst pain during menstruation which was similarly explained in the study done in China by Chen 12 and Nigeria by Emmanuel et al 13 Most females in this survey experienced mild or moderate pain in the age group 21-25 years. The differences in the pain severity may be related to individual differences in pain perception and variability in pain threshold.…”

“…In the present study, the mean age of students was 20.88±1.51years which was more or less similar to Anand S et al 8 195 (72.5%) participants had regular menstrual cycle which was similar to the study done in India by Jayanthi B et al 9 Among 269 participants who experienced dysmenorrhea, 191 (71%) of the participants reported 4-5 days of menstrual cycle and 189 (70%) reported pain for first 2 days of menstrual flow which was similar to Banikarim C et al and Fatima A et al 10 , 11 …”

“…In contrast to our finding, study done by Farnandez et al 16 in Spain, most of the students used paracetamol as a common pain reliever. We also found that beside medicines students practised rest/relaxation, hot bath/ bag, herbal/home remedies, reduced physical activities and yoga for managing menstrual pain, similar to study of Anand S et al 8 …”

“…In contrast to our finding, study done by Farnandez et al 16 in Spain, most of the students used paracetamol as a common pain reliever. We also found that beside medicines students practised rest/relaxation, hot bath/ bag, herbal/home remedies, reduced physical activities and yoga for managing menstrual pain, similar to study of Anand S et al 8 Most of the students were aware of the negative impacts of self-medication 190 (70.6%) but only few opted for medical consultation. According to the students, reasons for not consulting were emergency use, prior experience in medicine, mild nature of illness, cost saving, lack of time to visit health care facilities and ease of access to non-prescribed medication.…”

Analysis of Customer Behavior in Purchasing Decisions of Medical Services Products and Their Effect on Customer Satisfaction in Pharmacy

“…Respondent satisfaction in the reliability of self-medicated service products also shows good satisfaction. The reliability in reducing minor pain symptoms is in accordance with the obvious use and way of using the drug [21].…”