Prevalence of self-medication among university students in Baghdad: a cross-sectional sstudy from Iraq

Abstract

The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and determinants of self-medication among college students in Baghdad, Iraq. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain universities, Baghdad, from January to April 2015. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 1435 college students using a questionnaire form. The mean age of the joining students was 19.8 years. Females form 53% of the sample. Self-medications use was prevalent among 92.4% of students. Antipyretics and antibiotics were the most used medicines. Self-medication was higher among urban residents (OR= 7.99, P < 0.001). Students living with their families practiced self-medication more than others (OR= 2.501, P = 0.037). Students at health-related colleges showed greater resilience to self-medication (OR=0.455, P = 0.001). Despite free access to healthcare institutions, nine out of ten college students from Baghdad universities have practiced self-medication. Education of students about the safe use of medications and supervision of pharmacies are effective ways to control this malpractice.

Exploring University Students’ Attitudes towards Primary Care: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

“…Considering the type of medications taken without medical prescription, NSAIDs were the most frequent (more than 60%). ese data are in line with the data shown in studies performed in other countries with the objective to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication and self-prescription [10][11][12]. It must be stated that NSAIDs are responsible for hospitalizations associated with the occurrence of complications related to the drugs [13], especially considering that students' knowledge about NSAIDs is low, according to a study published in 2015 [14].…”

Conceptualization, Development and Psychometric Evaluations of a New Medication-Related Health Literacy Instrument: The Chinese Medication Literacy Measurement

“…Medication use, including the consumption of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, is a common routine for disease management of patients across ages and countries [ 1 ]. For example, around 70% of adults in North America take at least one prescription medication daily [ 2 ], and 40–95% of adults used OTCs in the Arab world, Germany, and Africa [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Inappropriate use of OTC medications, even if these products are claimed to be safe for self-medication, might cause serious consequences to patients’ health [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Factors associated with different forms of alcohol use behaviors among college students in Bhutan: a cross-sectional study

“…The prevalence rates of current drinking among the young adults were different in different countries: 9.7% in Iraq [21], 13.77% in Iran [22], 17.6% in Romania [23], 31.1% in Nigeria [24], 20.3% in Nepal [25], 39.4% in India [26], and 60% in males and < 5% among females were currently use among the Vietnam people [27].…”

“…In Asia, the prevalence rates of binge drinking among college students were 23.5% in China [ 18 ], 67.9% in Japan [ 19 ], and 39.1% in Thailand [ 20 ]. The prevalence rates of current drinking among the young adults were different in different countries: 9.7% in Iraq [ 21 ], 13.77% in Iran [ 22 ], 17.6% in Romania [ 23 ], 31.1% in Nigeria [ 24 ], 20.3% in Nepal [ 25 ], 39.4% in India [ 26 ], and 60% in males and < 5% among females were currently use among the Vietnam people [ 27 ].…”

“…There are several impacts of alcohol use among young adults, particularly those who are attending university or college, such as reduced learning capability [ 28 ], deprived coping skills [ 29 ], and condensed social skills [ 30 ]. Several studies [ 15 , 21 , 24 ] have reported that different characteristics such as sex, age, living away from home, parental education, household income, and tobacco use, contribute to the prevalence of alcohol use. However, there is limited information on the magnitude and factors associated with alcohol use behaviors among university or college students in Bhutan, which could be used for appropriate public policy development and the eventual deployment of effective public health interventions.…”