scholarly journals Prevalence, Knowledge, Practice and Perception of Self Medication among Pharmacy Students in a Nigerian tertiary Institution

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 494-503
Author(s):  
Mgbahurike A. A. ◽  
Nenwi G. F

The practice of self-medication has become a form of self-care and is a global trend that is encouraged when it deals with minor illnesses and with proper guide and information. In countries where there are no strict regulations and prescription drugs are freely dispensed, irresponsible self-medication is common. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, knowledge, practice and perception of self-medication among pharmacy students in University of Port Harcourt. The study included all pharmacy students from 200L to 500L who gave their consent to participate. Ethical approval was obtained from the University Ethics and Research Committee. Descriptive cross sectional study design was adopted. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the required data. The questionnaire was structured in four parts: demographic; knowledge; practice and perception sections.A total of 476 pharmacy students responded and gave their consent to the study. 42.4% (202) were male and 57.6% (274) were female. The mean age of the population was 24.55±5.32years. Most of the respondents, 49.2% (234), were within the age of 20 – 25years, while 4.4% (21) were more than 30years. Most, 94.7% (451) were single. 37% were in 200L, 22.9% (109) in 400L, and 18.9% (90) in 500L. Prevalence rate of self-medication among these students was 83.8%. A significant (p>0.05) percentage, 69.8% (327) showed good knowledge of self-medication and agreed to the need to consult health professional before consuming medicines, and yet a good number, 51.4% (245) often practice self- medication. The most common source of information for their self-medication was textbooks/class materials, 31.1% (148). The respondents showed positive perception towards self- medication as many, 40.3% (192) claimed that self –medication is right /safe and should be encouraged. Knowledge about the medicine used (91.8%) (437)was the commonest reason for self –medication, while analgesic/antipyretic (91.6%) (436) was the commonest class of medicines used for self-medication. The next common class of medicine was antibiotics, (84.7%) (403) and herbal remedy was the least, 15.5% (74). Fever, 83.6% (398), headache 80.5% (383), were the most common ailment treated by self-medication. Dependence on textbooks/class materials as information source increases significantly (p>0.05) with increase in years of study. In conclusion self- medication is highly prevalent among the pharmacy students evaluated. There is need to steer these students towards responsible self- medication especially towards antibiotics stewardship.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 239920261984684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garba Mohammed Khalid ◽  
Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau ◽  
Umar Idris Ibrahim ◽  
Fatima Mustapha Dungus ◽  
Zayyanu Shitu ◽  
...  

Introduction: The burden of antibiotic self-medication (ASM) is increasing and becoming a global health threat due to antibiotics resistance. However, little is known about ASM among undergraduate pharmacy students who are the future custodians of medicines including antibiotics. Therefore, this study aims to develop, validate and utilize an online survey tool to investigate the prevalence of ASM among undergraduate pharmacy students in Northern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey form was developed, validated by face validity, content validity, and pilot study. The hyperlink to the online survey form was shared with undergraduate pharmacy students in northern Nigeria via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. Data were collected from eligible participants and analyzed using descriptive statistic. Results: A total of 217 students responded to the online survey, with a completion rate of 100%. Of the total number of respondents, 200 (92.2%) reported practicing ASM at least once in their lifetime. The major reasons for ASM were previous knowledge (40.4%) and having no time to see a doctor or pharmacist (27.5%). Amoxicillin (32.6%), Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (32.1%), Ampicillin/Cloxacillin (21.7%) and Ciprofloxacin (22.6%) were the most commonly implicated antibiotics in ASM. Cough, diarrhea, typhoid, and wound were the most frequently involved conditions. Patent medicine vendors (75.4%) and community pharmacies (29.4%) were the common source of antibiotics subjected to ASM. Conclusion: A research tool to assess ASM among undergraduate pharmacy students has been developed, validated and utilized. The prevalence of ASM is high among undergraduate pharmacy students in Northern Nigeria. Interventions to improve knowledge and awareness on ASM are needed among undergraduate pharmacy students to ensure antibiotic stewardship.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 3580-3584
Author(s):  
Shatakshi Lall ◽  
Nardev Singh

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hashemzaei ◽  
Mahdi Afshari ◽  
Zahra Koohkan ◽  
Ali Bazi ◽  
Ramin Rezaee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Self-medication is defined as using medicinal products to treat disorders or symptoms diagnosed by one-self. Although informed self-medication is one of the ways to reduce health care costs, inappropriate self-treatment can pose various risks including drug side effects, recurrence of symptoms, drug resistance, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students toward self-medication.Methods: This study was conducted in Zabol University of Medical Sciences during 2018. A sample of 170 pharmacy and medical students was selected. A standard three-part researcher-made questionnaire was designed to address students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 25 software.Results: According to the results, 97 (57.1%) of the students had carried out self-medication within the past 6 months. Overall, the students used self-medication on average of 4.2 ± 2.9 times per year. Self-medication was more prevalent in male students (65.4%, P = 0.043). Cough and cold were the most common symptoms treated with self-medication (93.2%), and antibiotics (74.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. The primary information source used by the students was their previous physician prescription (47.4%). Medical students' attitude toward self-medication was more positive than that of pharmacy students (19.82 ± 4.84 vs. 21.67 ± 4.05, P = 0.033). Pharmacy students; however, showed higher levels of drug information (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the level of drug information and the rate of self-medication (P = 0.005). Disease recurrence was the most common negative complication of self-medication.Conclusion: There is a need to educate pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication and its side effects. The high prevalence of self-medication and the overuse of antibiotics can pose a significant risk of drug resistance.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Lezley-Anne Hanna ◽  
Alana Murphy ◽  
Maurice Hall ◽  
Rebecca Craig

Background: The aim was to investigate pharmacy students’ views on the role of the pharmacist in facilitating self-care with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, particularly in light of new roles, and establish personal practice. Methods: Final year pharmacy students at Queen’s University Belfast were invited to participate. Data were collected via a pre-piloted questionnaire, distributed at a compulsory class (only non-identifiable data were requested). Descriptive statistics were performed, and non-parametric tests were employed for inferential statistical analysis (responses by gender). Results: The response rate was 87.6% (78/89); 34.6% (27/78) males and 65.4% (51/78) females. Over a third [34.6% (27/78)] reported using OTC medicines about once a month. All appreciated the importance of an evidence-based approach to optimize patient care. Most [(96.2% (75/78)] deemed OTC consultations should remain a fundamental responsibility of pharmacists and 69.2% (54/78) thought OTC consultations have the potential to be as complex as independent pharmacist prescribing. Females felt more confident recommending OTC emergency contraception than males (p = 0.002 for levonorgestrel and p = 0.011 for ulipristal acetate). Many [61.5% (48/78)] considered more medicines should not be deregulated from prescription-only status. Conclusions: Data from this single institution suggests that enabling self-medication is an important part of practice but there were confidence issues around deregulations.


Author(s):  
Mythri Halappa

AbstractMedications are one of the most important tools in public health practice. Since the 1980s, self‑medication is of prime public health importance as World Health Organization, in order to reduce the burden on health care professionals changed some prescription drugs to be sold over the counter. Each drug has its own advantages & disadvantages. Hence, always they have to be taken with caution. Considering this a recent trend has increased in surveying the prevalence of self medication. Hence, this review critically evaluated the studies to put a light on basic concept of self medication.Key words: Self medication, Drug abuse, Self care, Substance abuse, Antibiotic usage. 


Author(s):  
Sunitha Sunitha ◽  
Dhanya Dharman ◽  
Deepa Manohar ◽  
Shaiju S Daran ◽  
Vismaya Annie Vinod ◽  
...  

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems among adolescent females which interferes with daily activities, affecting their physical and emotional aspects and has a negative impact on the quality of life. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Self-medication for primary dysmenorrhea is a very common practice. The aim of this study was to observe and evaluate self-medication practice in primary dysmenorrhea among pharmacy students. This is a cross-sectional questionnaire study to be conducted among 50 females of age group between 18-25 of pharmacy college. The self-medication practice and features of dysmenorrhea were to be assessed with a 15 pre-validated questionnaire and the data is analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 50 students participated in this study in which 81.8% had regular periods. Dysmenorrhea was experienced in 79.6% with mild (30.4%),moderate(23.9%) and with severe(28.3%) dysmennohea. In this study 64.3% preferred self-medication pattern. The majority were Pharm.D students. The most commonly used drug was Meftal spas (mephenamic acid+dicyclomine) and for 96.8% the treatment was found to be effective. Among the 50 students, 57.6% have experienced ADR , majority with decreased blood flow. The Self-medication practice in dysmenorrhea was more among pharmacy students probably due to the knowledge of drugs, better awareness and greater access to drug information during their curriculum. This highlights the importance of creating awareness among students to consume drugs only in severe discomfort after prescription by the registered medical practitioners.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Negarandeh ◽  
Shah Jahan Shayan ◽  
Rajab Nazari ◽  
BSc. Frank Kiwanuka ◽  
MSc. Sanaz Akhavan Rad

Abstract Background Recently, inappropriate use of antibiotics has been correlated with life-threatening side-effects such as adverse effects, increased cost of treatment, and the higher rate of microbial resistance. Besides, it leads to a waste of resources. Therefore, this review sought to determine the pooled prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics, self-medicated illness, reasons for self-medication, antibiotics used for self-medication, source of obtaining antibiotics, the inappropriate practice of antibiotics and suggested recommendations for talking self-medication with antibiotics in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization (EMRWHO). Methods Review conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Database search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science using a combination of keywords which included; antimicrobial, antibacterial, antibiotic, self-medication, self-treatment, self-prescription, non-prescribed, irrational use, inappropriate use, misuse, abuse and Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO countries. The lists of references of the selected articles were also hand-searched to obtained additional relevant articles. Studies published in English from 2000 to 2018 were included in the review. Results We report on data from 60 articles and 49629 participants in this review. The overall prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in EMRWHO was 47.2% (95% CI 41.6% – 52.9%). Yemen has the highest pooled rate with a rate of 75.0% (95% CI 63.4% − 83.9%), whilst Lebanon has the lowest pooled rate with a prevalence of 28.7% (95% CI 18.4% − 41.8%). The most common illnesses implicated in antibiotic self-medication were upper-respiratory infections and the most common antibiotic was Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid. The commonest reasons for antibiotic self-medication include: saving time and money. Pharmacies pointed out as the most common source of obtaining antibiotics for self-medication. Conclusion Self-medication with antibiotics is significantly high in the member states of EMRWHO. Intervention such as an educational program for communities’ members to change their behaviors, policy on the mechanism of distribution of antibiotics is called for in this area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Rabie Abdullah ◽  
◽  
Manhal Abdulkader ◽  
Sara Ahmed ◽  
Dalal Ali ◽  
...  

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