scholarly journals Self-Medication Practices among Medical and Non-Medical Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (40) ◽  
pp. 2976-2980
Author(s):  
Isha Anwar ◽  
Krishna Minimol ◽  
Manjunath Narasimhaiah
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Demographic Background ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

BACKGROUND Self-medication practice involves consumption of medicines by one’s own initiative or on the consultation of others without the guidance of a doctor. Self-medication and use of over-the-counter drugs, are worldwide health concerns. This study evaluated the prevalence, behavioural patterns, knowledge of self-medication, and the attitudes toward this practice among medical and nonmedical university students. METHODS This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among students with medical and non-medical backgrounds. A semi-structured questionnaire was constructed after reviewing literature to capture data regarding socio-demographic background, practice and knowledge of self-medication. RESULTS Out of a total of 98 students, 79.6 % of students practiced self-medication (medical - 77.5 % and non-medical - 85.2 %). The main reason for self-medication was convenience (50.8 %) and the choice of self-medication was based on their own experience (30.4 %) and previous doctors’ prescription (20.2 %). Community pharmacies (64.0 %) were the most common source of acquiring the drugs in both groups. It was observed that 53.1 % students think self-medication is an acceptable practice. 28.6% were confident of treating infectious diseases through selfmedication. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows a higher prevalence of self-medication among students. It also indicates a critical need for the implementation of quality education programs in order to prevent the self-medication among students. KEY WORDS Self-Medication, Medical, Non-Medical

scholarly journals Over the counter drug use: Assessing the perception of the community

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 3580-3584
Author(s):  
Shatakshi Lall ◽  
Nardev Singh
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Drug Fever ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
Observational Descriptive Study ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The drugs that can be easily purchased from any medical store without prescription are known as “Non Prescription” drugs. Such non prescription drugs are used for self medication. Non Prescription drugs are commonly termed as “Over the counter” drugs. There is always certain degree of danger in consuming OTC drugs even though some people consider their use as completely safe. The study is designed with an objective to understand the pattern of Over the Counter drugs use in a locality of Dehradun by using a structured questionnaire. An Observational, Descriptive study was conducted. The data was collected using a Questionnaire. The present study was carried out in 350 participants. After analyzing the results it was found that 100% participants follow self medication and consume OTC drugs. The number of females (52%) were more as compared to males(48%). Paracetamol (62%) was the most commonly consumed OTC drug. Fever (37%) was the most common condition for which people use OTC drugs. The most general reason of practicing selfmedication that was reported in our study was easy convenience (23%). The study also concludes that the most common source of relevant information about OTC drugs were friends/relatives. (28%). The use of OTC drugs is fast increasing as they are easily available. However, poor awareness about their consumption end up in many side effects. This study will help gain knowledge about peoples perceptive which would ultimately help forming new guidelines for safer use of OTC drugs.

scholarly journals Behavior of Medical Students toward Over-the-Counter Drugs in Comparison to Students from Other Faculties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Professional Guidance

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.

scholarly journals A descriptive study to assess the knowledge of coronavirus among nursing students, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 4422
Author(s):  
Anjali Devi Sharma ◽  
Kavita Verma ◽  
Manisha Sehgal ◽  
Yachana Verma ◽  
Anupama K.
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus and hence this pandemic has a great impact on the education system. Nursing students as part of the health team should know the coronavirus like other communicable diseases. Methods: A quantitative approach and cross-sectional survey research design used to assess the knowledge of Coronavirus among 145 nursing students of district Sirmaur selected through the convenient sampling technique. An online self-structured questionnaire used as a tool for data collection. Descriptive data analysis was done with SPSS (version 23).Results: The result of the study revealed that only 31.7% of students had good knowledge about COVID-19, and 68.3% had average knowledge. Conclusions: There is a need for intervention such as educational programs or pieces of training to educate about the pandemic and its prevention practices to undergraduate students to make our society more secure.

scholarly journals Evaluate use of over the counter drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Megha Sood ◽  
Jagminder Kaur Bajaj ◽  
Nipunjot Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Care Teaching ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Abdominal Symptoms

Background: In our country there is easy availability of drugs over the counter leading to their unintentional misuse and abuse. Over the counter availability of drugs does offer the benefit of easy access to medicines and allows individuals to become in charge of their own health. It is important to understand that medical education can impact the OTC drug use amongst medical students. In order to observe the pattern of OTC drug use among the first and second professional MBBS students we planned this study. The aim of the study was to evaluate use of over the counter (OTC) drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: Our study was a cross sectional study conducted on first and second professional MBBS students. Authors administered a self structured, prevalidated questionnaire to the students. The data obtained was tabulated, analyzed and the results calculated in percentages.Results: The use of OTC drugs is common amongst undergraduate students.  All (100%) the students who participated in the study had used OTC drugs at some point in their life. The common conditions prompting use of OTC drugs include head ache, body aches (74%), fever (72%), respiratory conditions such as: cold (60%), cough (28.5%), abdominal symptoms such as: abdominal pain (14%), gastritis (7.5%), diarrhea (6%), vomiting (5%) and allergies (10%). Very few students reported adverse drug reactions with these drugs.Conclusions: From our study we have concluded that OTC drugs are commonly used amongst medical students. So, periodic training and talks on self medication are necessary for them. Student knowledge in this aspect will help them in future counseling of their patients.

Self-medication Pattern and Prevalence Among Iranian Medical Sciences Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Niroomand ◽  
Mohsen Bayati ◽  
Mozhgan Seif ◽  
Somayeh Delavari ◽  
Sajad Delavari
Keyword(s):  
Medical Science ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Medication Usage ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Negative Results

Background: Self-medication could be risky behavior and has negative effects. While Over the Counter (OTC) drugs are available at drugstores, the behavior has become prevalent among the general population. Objective: This study aimed at surveying self-medication behavior among medical sciences students of Shiraz, Iran. Methods: A sample of 396 students from medical, paramedical, and health sciences disciplines were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill a questionnaire about their demographics and socioeconomic status, medication usage and self-medication in the last six months, information about the correct use of medication, and information about negative results of selfmedication. Data were analyzed using chi-square, t-test and logistic regression model using R statistical software. Results: Almost 72% of participants reported self-medication in the past sixth months. The main reasons included trust in their own diagnosis (59.9%), mildness of the disease (56.6%), and having previous experience about the disease (56%). Cough or cold (84.5%), headache (66.3%), and body pain (60.2%) were the most frequent diseases that led to self-medication. The majority of the participants (77.7%) reported they select their medicine on their own decision. Furthermore, self-medication was highly related to having medicine stock at home (OR=2.692), having less information about negative results of self-medication (OR=0.835), and more non-syllabus study time (OR=1.041). Conclusions: Although, medical science students have information about the treatment of illnesses, they should be more informed about negative results and side-effects of self-medication. They should also share their knowledge with society to decrease self-medication.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, and practices about contraceptive in Western Rajasthan, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 2786
Author(s):  
Gayatri Aseri ◽  
Sudesh Agrawal
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background: This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraceptive methods among women attending a tertiary care hospital in Western Rajasthan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, PBM and the associated group of hospitals, attached to Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Total 500 married women between age group 15-49 yrs were included. These all women interviewed using a structured questionnaire after approval of the hospital’s ethical committee.Results: Total 500 women interviewed for their knowledge, attitude, and practices about contraception. Out of which, 402 (80.4%) women had some knowledge of at least one contraception method at the time of the study.  The most common sources of information about contraception were husband and family member. Amongst the various contraceptives most commonly known was condom (78.4%). Only 265 (53%) women were practicing contraception at present. Most commonly used contraceptive was condom (40.8%). The most common reason for the non-practice of contraception was need of more child or male child in 34.8% families followed by opposition from in-laws (12.4%).Conclusions: Literacy was positively associated with family planning related knowledge and practices. Preconception knowledge and practices about contraception are poor in our study population. Many of the women were getting MTP pills over the counter without consulting to health care persons and then later presents with complications.

scholarly journals SELF-MEDICATION AMONG ADULT POPULATION IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Suhana Jawahir ◽  
Noorizan Abd Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medication Practice ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Search For Information

Objective: Self-medication is a common practice and an important health issue worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of self-medication practice, patterns of use, self-medication attitudes, and to explore the occurrence of side effects resulting from self-medication practice among the adult population in Selangor, Malaysia.Methods: This cross-sectional survey used a validated questionnaire administered to adults 18 y and above residing in Selangor.Results: A total of 401 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The majorities of the participants were Malay (91.5%) and went to college or university (89.3%). One-third self-medicated in the past two weeks prior to the survey. Self-medication was significantly associated with age (p=0.009) and race (p=0.038). Among the respondents, 83.8% would search for information before practicing self-medication. Modern healthcare professionals (58.4%) and the internet (47.1%) were the most common source of information about drugs for self-medication. The main reason for self-medication was the illness perceived as minor (79.1%). Two-thirds of the respondents (66.6%) had a satisfactory attitude towards self-medication practices.Conclusion: The public needs to be better informed on responsible self-medication to ensure safe, effective, and rational use of medicines.

scholarly journals Self-Medication Practices in Surrounding Communities of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital of Eastern Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya Bahadur Parajuli ◽  
Anjali Mishra ◽  
Heera KC ◽  
Prem Bhattarai ◽  
Sharad Karki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College

Background: Self-medication is the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders/symptoms, or the intermittent/continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic/recurrent disease/symptoms (WHO). It is the cause for antibiotic resistance, inappropriate treatment, financial burden and many deaths. WHO listed self-medication as one of the priority research area at the local context. The objective of the study was to find the prevalence and pattern of self-medication in surrounding communities of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the surrounding communities of Birat Medical College from 1st August 2018 to 15th December 2018. Multistage sampling was used to collect information from 348 household having family members aged 16 years and above. Ethical approval was taken from Institutional Review Committee of Birat Medical College. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used. Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.5±15.9 years. Prevalence of self-medication was 44.04%. Majority took self-medication for headache 43.6% followed by common cold 39.1% etc. Majority used allopathic drugs 82.7% followed by traditional healers 9.8%. Common medication were antipyretics 18.8%, antibiotics 16.5%, proton pump inhibitor 7.5%, antihistamines 6.8% etc. The reason behind self-medication were low cost 30.1%, time saving 24.1%, illness too trivial/mild for consultation 18.8%, quick relief 18.1%, high doctor fee 15 %, lack of awareness 13.5 %,  familiar with treatment options 12.8%, long waiting line in hospital 12% etc. Out of them 8.3% noticed side effects of self-medication. Out of all 59.5% felt the need of awareness program on rational use of medicines. Age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, religion, education and occupation of participants, education and occupation of head of household, poverty status, family type, house residence type, type of house has no significant association with self-medication. Participants residing in alani/rent households were 1.93 times more likely to self-medicate than those residing in their own and participants having negative attitude were 1.90 times more likely to self-medicate than those who had positive attitude and both were statistically significant.  Conclusions: The burden of self-medication was present and allopathic drugs including antibiotics were common. Adverse drug reactions were reported but participants were unaware about the place to report. Participants had negative attitude towards self-medication which is harmful for their health. As pharmacy was the common source of self-medication, the prescription based medicine dispensary should be advocated.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among medical students during exam time

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Ashish Kumar Bhattarai ◽  
Prabin Kumar Karki
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Common Drug ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
The One ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background: Medical education is one of the toughest education systems where the stu­dents are under intense physical and mental pressure especially during the exam time. They have information of different drugs that can cope with their medical conditions and also aware of different cognitive enhancers. Self-medication results in wastage of resource, ad­verse effects, drug dependence and increase chances of resistance of pathogens. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of irrational drug use among the medical students during the exam time. Methods: This was descriptive cross-sectional using semi-structured questionnaire in the one of the medical school located inside Kathmandu Valley. A total of 90 students participated in the study. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 20, by using descriptive statistics. Results: Among the total respondents,20 (17.7%) were practicing self-medication during the exam time. Of the participants who practiced the self-medication, most common drug used was NDAIDs. Most of the respondents 87(96.7%) were aware of the possible adverse consequences. About 75(83.3%) participants thought the self-medication practice during the exam time is acceptable while 15(16.7%) regarded this as unacceptable. Conclusions: Although low incidence of self-medication was found among students during exam time, the false prerogative of being medical students can lead to meager practice and awful con­sequences.

scholarly journals Perception and Practice of Hand-washing among Children in Rural Area of Rajshahi

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 82-91
Author(s):  
Md Jawadul Haque ◽  
Chinmoy Kanti Das ◽  
Rowsan Ara ◽  
Md Nurul Amin ◽  
Md Entekhab Ul Alam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Monthly Income ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

This cross-sectional type of descriptive study was undertaken to assess the awareness and practice of hand-washing among children in three villages of Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. A total of 1152 children aged 5 – 18 years old were purposively selected from the study area. Majority (96%) of them was students of primary or secondary grade. A few were involved in business, farming, service and others. Face to face interview was conducted with the help of a semi structured questionnaire on the variables of interest. Nearly half (49.5%) of the respondents was 11-15 years and the rest >15 years old. Male-female distribution was almost equal. Fathers of the children were service-holder (18.7%), businessman (28.6%), farmer (26.1%) and day-laborer/rickshaw puller (26.5%). Nearly 60% of respondents belonged to poor family having monthly income Taka < 10000. Majority (97.1%) of the respondents was aware of the importance of hand washing and 75% perceived that diseases could be prevented through hand washing. More than 90% of the respondents were used to using soap and water for washing hands and over 80% washed hands regularly. Over three-quarters (77.8%) were accustomed to washing hands in school before tiffin. Most (81.8%) of the respondents used sanitary latrine for defecation. The use of soap-water for washing hands after defecation was significantly higher in older children (> 12 years) than that in younger children (≤ 12 years) (p = 0.020). The use of soap water for washing hands after defecation tends to be associated with children’s grade of education with higher tendency being observed in children of secondary and higher secondary school (p < 0.001). Children belonging to higher family income were more cautious in using soap/antiseptics (p < 0.001). The study concluded that perception and practice of hand-washing is appreciably high among rural children. However, older children, children studying in secondary grade and belonged to families with higher monthly income were more cautious about hand-washing.TAJ 2013; 26: 82-91

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