A cross sectional study of self-medication for acne among undergraduate medical students
<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Acne is one of the most common inflammatory chronic skin diseases that affect teenagers and continues into adulthood. Self-medication is common among medical students. Hence this present study was undertaken to study the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication for acne among medical students.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study included medical students of the second phase and final phase (Part I and Part II). A pretested questionnaire was given to them which included questions on knowledge, attitude and practice about self-medication for acne.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Self-medication for acne was seen in 240 (77.4%) students out of 310 students. Mild nature of illness was the most common reason for self-medication for acne followed by privacy. Most common source of information was seniors/friends/family members. Most of the students felt that self-medication is part of self-care (48%). Clindamycin was the most common drug self-medicated for acne.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Self-medication for acne is quite high among medical students. Self-medication is part of self-care so it should be encouraged for minor illness. But should be based on thorough knowledge and restricted to over the counter drugs.</p>