Assessment of Self-Medication Practices Among Médical, Pharmacy, Health Science Students in Gondar University, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the magnitude and factors of self-medication among medical, pharmacy, and health science students of GCMHS (Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences). A cross-sectional study with two-month illness recall was conducted. A Questionnaire consisting of demographic questions and questions on illnesses in the last two months prior to the interview and treatment strategies was prepared and administered to the 414 students, selected as the sample population, from the GCMHS students. Of a total of 414 students, 213 (51.5%) reported at least one episode of an illness, and 82 (38.5%) of them practiced self-medication. Most drugs for self-medication were obtained from the pharmacy or drug shops; and the most commonly used drugs were Paracetamol and NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Common reported illnesses were fever and headache (24.8%) followed by cough and common cold (23.9%). Prior experience and the non-seriousness of the illness were the top two reported factors for self-medication. Reading materials were the top reported source of information. In conclusion, self-medication was practiced with a range of drugs from the conventional anti-pains to antibiotics. Although the practice of self-medication is inevitable; drug authorities and health professionals need to educate students about the pros and cons of self-medication.

Self-Medication Practices Among Health Care Professional Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Pune

“…The illnesses for which students were practicing self-medication were fever & chills (62.5%) followed by pain, headache, cough and common cold. Our results are similar to the study conducted by Abay SN et al inEthiopia [12]. The drugs which were frequently used for self-medication in our study were Analgesics (81.2%) followed by Anti-pyretics(67.6%) and Anti-inflammatory (41.0%); these were the drugs which were used in high frequency; moreover, a study in karachi 6 also showed similar results.…”

Prevalence, pattern and perceptions of self-medication in medical students

“…Some studies have reported prevalence and pattern of self-medication in medical students with varying results. 10,11 Our results suggest a high prevalence (82%) of selfmedication in our students which is somewhat higher than reported by Zafar et al who studied self medication in medical and non medical students and found no significant difference between the two groups 9 and lower than reported by Badiger et al reporting 92% prevalence in a study of 200 students. 12 The most important reason for higher trend of self medication is easy availability of all categories of medicines-OTC, prescriptions only or even schedule X drugs (Narcotics) without prescription to consumers in India.…”

Self-Medication Practice amongst Undergraduate Nursing Students in Government Nursing College Nanded, Maharashtra

“…In another study done in Ethiopia, of 82 respondents, antipyretics 46.3% and analgesics 24.4% were again the most common drugs used in self-care. [13] In our study it was found out that the most common reasons for self-medication were similar past experience 40(54.8%), mildness of infection 22(30.1%)and long waiting line in the OPD 11 (15.1%). This is similar to a previous study which also shows previous experience 32.7% and minor nature of the illness 23.2% [16] as the common reasons for self-medication.…”

“…[12] In another study done in Ethiopia, 82 (38.5%) practiced self-medication. [13] Prevalence of selfmedication was 41.6% in a study done in two Brazilian Universities. [14] It is also noted that a high level of education and professional status are predictive factors for self-medication.…”