scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, beliefs and use of over the counter drug products among medical undergraduates

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1358
Author(s):  
Mamta Rani ◽  
M. C. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
General Information ◽  
Drug Label ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Drug Products ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Medical Undergraduates ◽  
Day By Day

Background: Over the counter (OTC) drug products are available without prescription and considered safe, effective, affordable and easily accessible. Among medical students use of OTCs and even prescription drugs available as OTCs is increasing day by day. The objective of the study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and beliefs about OTCs, their use, safety and regulatory issues of OTCs among medical undergraduates.Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted and 151 medical students participated in this study. A preformed and validated questionnaire consisting of 2 parts was used. Part 1 consisted of general information regarding OTCs and Part 2 consisted information about knowledge, attitude, beliefs and use of OTCs. Data were analyzed and the results were expressed as percentages.Results: 100% participating students were aware about OTCs. 70% used them a lot because of availability and belief on safety. Chemist was a good source of advice over minor medical problems according to 38% of students. Information to be read on drug label was known to 62.5% of them. Affordability and accessibility (84%) was the main reason for OTCs use. Common medications bought without prescription were antibiotics, antihistaminics (100%) and cough syrups (90%). Headache and fever (100%), acidity (91%) were common indications for OTC use. Common OTCs stored at home were painkiller, antacids and skin care products.Conclusions: All students though were aware of OTCs but had little knowledge of regulation and usage. Many prescription drugs were also available as OTCs. Medical students need to be educated and trained about OTCs and the related issues. 

scholarly journals PERCEPTION REGARDING SELF-MEDICATION OF ANTIBIOTICS IN GENERAL PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN PUNJAB: A COMPARISON BETWEEN MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Khalid ◽  
Q Ali ◽  
MM Hafeez ◽  
A Malik
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
General Public ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Self-medication with antibiotics is a most rapidly emerging problem especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Antibiotics are easily accessible to the general public without consulting any practitioner even without prescriptions. So there are many risks linked to the inappropriate use of antibiotics. The main aim of this study was to assess the wrong practice of self-medication in public sector universities of southern Punjab. The current study also compares the self-medication practices in various departments of universities. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and inferential statistics (chi-square test). The study was included data from 900 students including both males and females from various departments. Among 900 students, 450 students of medical while 450 were non-medical students. Frequency of self-medication was found to 57 %. The antibiotics more frequently use for self-medication were Augmentin (37 %), Amoxicillin (23 %). Fever and cough were the most frequent indication for the use of self-medicated antibiotics. Because of their sufficient knowledge of pharmacology, most students were self-medicated (40%). Academic knowledge is the principal source of antibiotic information (60%). Just (39%) of the students thought that self-medication is part of the self-core, 31% of the students perceived that the availability of non-prescription drugs could prevent the growing trend of self-medication with antibiotics. 30% of students perceived that antibiotics were aware of the harms of self-medication or informed about them. Based on this study, it can be concluded that a high proportion of medical students and non-medical students use antibiotics without medical prescription and such practices are more common in the general public sector.

scholarly journals Survey of use of over the counter drug and other than over the counter drugs among medical students, nursing and technician staff of a tertiary care teaching hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka D. Patel ◽  
Kamlesh P. Patel ◽  
Supriya D. Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital ◽  
Care Teaching ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Background: To find out pattern and extent of use of OTC and other than OTC drugs among medical students, nursing and technician staff.Methods: Study began after taking permission and approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB). Medical student, nursing and technician staff of tertiary care teaching hospital was enrolled after written informed consent. Pre validated questionnaire regarding use of such use was administered to each participant.Results: A total of 200 participants responded to questionnaire, M:F ratio was 1:1.7. Majority of the participants had taken OTC drugs for cough/cold (72.6%) followed by headache/ body ache (71.1%). Paracetamol (81%) followed by Diclofenac (42.5%), ibuprofen (37.8%) were the most common drugs taken. About 85% participants had taken antimicrobial considering it as an OTC product. Most commonly used antimicrobials were metronidazole (19.4%) followed by levofloxacin (17.9%).Most common reason for self medication was the perception that the disease wasn’t serious (44.8%), favourable prior advertisement (34.3%). About 52% requested for drug by mentioning name of drug. Most (50.7%) felt that OTC drug improved their illness. 45.9% stopped when symptoms disappeared. Majority of the participants (57.2%) believed use of OTC drug is a good practice. Most of the participants (56.7%) believed they can treat symptoms with OTC drugs.64.7% participants believed use of OTC drug is beneficial for them. Most of the participants lack the knowledge for dose (73.6%) and frequency (68.2%) of drug. A substantial number of participants (58.61%) were taking drugs outside OTC list.Conclusions: Awareness and dangers of misuse of OTC medications among all the participants was less. Therefore it is suggested that proper education should be imparted regarding illness where self-administration of OTC drugs to be employed.

scholarly journals Knowledge of breast cancer among medical students in Syrian Private University, Syria: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hlma Ismail ◽  
Mosa Shibani ◽  
Hanaa Wael Zahrawi ◽  
Ali Fouad Slitin ◽  
Mhd Amin Alzabibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Private University ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
General Information ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death globally. Since early diagnosis is crucial to reducing mortality, high levels of knowledge regarding general information, risk factors, and symptoms are required among healthcare professionals to deliver breast cancer care. This study aimed to determine Syrian medical students’ knowledge about breast cancer in the fields of general knowledge, common clinical features, and risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University in October 2019 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States). The chi-square test was applied to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge and gender. One way analysis of variance was performed to assess the overall differences in mean knowledge score by study year, GPA, mother’s education, and source of information. Unpaired Student’s T-test was used to analyze the differences in mean knowledge scores (continuous variable) based on smoking status and alcohol consumption. Results Of 320 students, 301 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 94.0%), of which 179(59.5%) were males. The study revealed above-average knowledge scores (total mean = 68.4%) regarding breast cancer, general information (71.9%), common clinical features (71.6%), and risk factors (71.6%). Clinical students (4th, 5th, and 6th years) scored higher compared with pre-clinical students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years). Conclusion This study showed above-average knowledge scores regarding breast cancer. More efforts to correct misinformation, through reassessing the university curriculum and promoting awareness about breast cancer are required.

Basic life support awareness level among medical students in Jordan: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebraheem Albazee ◽  
Mohammad Alnifise ◽  
Lina Almahmoud ◽  
Ahmed Alsaeedi ◽  
Mohammed Al-balawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Basic Life Support ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Arrest ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Awareness Level

Objective: Performing basic life support (BLS) in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest decreases mortality and morbidity. In addition, BLS knowledge is a prerequisite for medical graduation. The present study was conducted to determine the awareness level of undergraduate medical students in Jordan regarding BLS and background knowledge. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 17 April 2021 and 12 May 2021. A validated questionnaire was used as an online Google form and was posted in all medical student groups and Jordanian universities through various social medias. We categorized level of awareness into two groups: adequate awareness for those who got 60% or more, and inadequate awareness for those who got less than 60% in BLS test. Chi-square test was used to compare different variables. Results: A total of 886 students with a mean age of 21.5 (± 2.2) years completed the survey, including 552 females (62.3%). Among participated students, only 281 (31.7%) had adequate awareness, whereas 605 (68.3%) had inadequate awareness, with a mean score of 10 (± 3.8) out of 20. Surprisingly, there was no statistically significant correlation (P=0.210) between grade point average (GPA) and awareness level among participated students. On the contrary, we detected statistically significant relationships (P<0.001) between various variables and awareness level. Conclusion: Overall, we found that awareness of BLS among medical students in Jordan is not adequate. We can improve the awareness of medical students in this regard through obligating them to educate the general population, especially school students, as a volunteer campaign.

scholarly journals RESEARCH ON SELF MEDICATION: A HYPE OR A HOPE? A LITERATURE REVIEW.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Mythri Halappa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Health Organization

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. 

scholarly journals AWARENESS OF COVID-19 AMONG GENERAL POPULATION OF NORTHEAST INDIA: A WEB BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
pp. 170-177
Author(s):  
Nirmali Gogoi ◽  
Anusuya Goswami
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
General Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

Introduction: The emerging infection of COVID-19 was initiated from Wuhan, China, have been spread to more than 210 countries around the globe including India. Now India is 4th position in the world scenario of COVID-19 with 426910 infected cases and 13,703 deaths by 22 June 2020. In the northeast, Assam is in highest position with 5,586 cases and 9 deaths till now. Awareness is the key factor for prevention of spread of COVID-19 among general people. In view of these contexts, the present study was undertaken to assess awareness of COVID-19 among general population of Northeast India. The aim of the study was to assess the level of awareness among general population of Northeast India regarding COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A web based survey was conducted among 185 people of deferent states of northeast during the period of April and May 2020. A self-structured validated questionnaire used for collecting information. Descriptive analysis was performed to represent the study characteristics. Awareness among the study population was categories into 3 Levels i.e Adequate, Moderately Adequate and Inadequate. Level of Adequate awareness considered as > (Mean + SD, Moderately Adequate as (Mean-SD)-(Mean + SD) and Inadequate as < (Mean-SD. Results & Discussion: Overall awareness on COVID-19, majority of respondents, 97(52.4%) have moderately adequate awareness. 49(26.5%) of respondents have adequate awareness and 39(21.1%) have inadequate awareness. It reveals that overall level of awareness is not satisfactory. Less than half of people were aware adequately about the COVID-19. Highest percentage of adequate, 36(44.4%) and inadequate, 21(25%) awareness reported from Manipur, Highest percentage of moderately adequate awareness reported from Nagaland, 17 (85%). Slightly more than half of respondents were aware about the general information, 102 (67.45%) and risk factors, 119 (64.3%) of COVID-19. Most of the respondents were aware about the mode of transmission, 176(95.1%), meaning of community transmission, 135 (72.9%), common sign and symptoms, 154(83.2%), and incubation periods 164(88.6%) of COVID-19. Regarding prevention of COVID-19, average awareness of total respondents was 154 (83.24%). Similar percentage of all levels of awareness have seen in male and female both. Conclusion: The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, most often via small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking. Lack of awareness and negligence of general people regarding mode of transmission of COVID-19 which created community transmission. General people of Northeast still required awareness regarding COVID-19. There is a need of regular awareness programme among the general population by the health care professionals.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude, behaviour of the future healthcare professionals towards the self-medication practice with antibiotics

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 56-66
Author(s):  
Tarek Benameur ◽  
Hassan Al-Bohassan ◽  
Abdullah Al-Aithan ◽  
Abdullah Al-Beladi ◽  
Hassan Al-Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Introduction: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a major health problem in the developing world including the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This practice remains an emerging challenge for the healthcare providers. A few previous studies have estimated the prevalence of SMA among the general population of KSA, but there had been no such studies on healthcare students. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of SMA among medical, non-medical students and to evaluate its determinants. Methodology: A survey-based cross-sectional study using validated questionnaire was conducted amongst students at King Faisal University in KSA. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were applied to identify the determinants of SMA. Results: The prevalence of SMA was 58.4% with significantly lower proportion among medical students. Tonsillitis was the most common symptom for which SMA was used and was reported by a significantly higher proportion of medical (54.1%) students. Despite, the awareness of medical students about SMA is unsafe and mal-practice (79.9%), the prevalence of SMA practice remains high. Logistic regression analysis showed that students who incorrectly, identified the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections, the reasons of the antibiotics discontinuation had a higher likelihood to SMA. (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.52-4.503, P = 0.001), (OR = 1.575, 95% CI: 0.923-2.686, P = 0.09), respectively. Conclusions: SMA remains noticeably high among the medical students. To overcome this problem, we highly recommend improving the health education to better address this malpractice and improve the students’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness towards the antibiotics use and prescription pattern.

scholarly journals Over-the-Counter Sale of Antibiotics in India: A Qualitative Study of Providers’ Perspectives across Two States

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1123
Author(s):  
Anita Kotwani ◽  
Jyoti Joshi ◽  
Anjana Sankhil Lamkang
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
The Government

India has one of the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. Despite being prescription drugs, antibiotics are commonly available over-the-counter (OTC) at retail pharmacies. We aimed to gain insight into the OTC sale of antibiotics at retail pharmacies and to elucidate its underlying drivers. We conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews using convenience sampling with 22 pharmacists and 14 informal dispensers from 36 retail pharmacies across two Indian states (Haryana and Telangana). Thematic analysis revealed that antibiotics were often dispensed OTC for conditions e.g., fever, cough and cold, and acute diarrhea, which are typically viral and self-limiting. Both Access and Watch groups of antibiotics were dispensed for 1–2 days. Respondents had poor knowledge regarding AMR and shifted the blame for OTC practices for antibiotics onto the government, prescribers, informal providers, cross practice by alternative medicine practitioners, and consumer demand. Pharmacists suggested the main drivers for underlying OTC dispensing were commercial interests, poor access to public healthcare, economic and time constraints among consumers, lack of stringent regulations, and scanty inspections. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy which is well aligned with activities under the National Action Plan-AMR, including stewardship efforts targeting pharmacists and evidence-based targeted awareness campaigns for all stakeholders, is required to curb the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

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