Knowledge, attitude and practices of self-medication and rational drug use habits among medical students in Madinah city

Abstract

Background: Rational use of drugs require that patient receive medicine appropriate to their clinical needs in a dose that meets their own individual requirements for an adequate period at the lowest cost to them and their community. In the real world, prescribing patterns do not always conform to these ideals and what prevails instead is inappropriate, irrational prescribing.Aims: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of self-medication practices and rational drug use among undergraduate University students in Madinah city, in order to update the information in this region. Methods: The study adopted a cross sectional study conducted on undergraduate medical students, as the sample size calculated using the Epi Info program accordingly the study population was (357) students in Madinah city in a period from (September 2022 to September 2023). A questionnaire was passed on digitally. Results: The practices of the participants towards experience any side effects while taking medication (28.9%) abandon the medication, while (28.2%) consult to physician, (19.6%) consult to the pharmacist, (13.2%) discontinue the course of the medication and start a new one with the same affect, (6.2%) consult to the family, 3.9% do nothing. Conclusions: The understanding, perspective, and behaviors of self-medication and drugs among medical students are substantially low with increasing use of selfprescribed medications, and antibiotics.