scholarly journals Patterns of self-medication among university students in San Jose, Costa Rica

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Norori
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Poison Center ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
San Jose ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regulatory Policies

Abstract Background: Self-medication is defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed symptoms without the supervision of healthcare physicians. Self-medication is a growing public health phenomenon and is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis and drug toxicity. This study aimed to identify the patterns associated with the practice of self-medication among university students in San José, Costa Rica. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed and conducted to identify variables associated. Information was collected on the conditions treated, medications used and their sources. Results: The study found that self-medication is highly prevalent among Costa Rican university students. 91.4% of the sample reported self-medicating, with each student consuming an average of 2.15, ± 1,08 drugs. The most Frequently used active ingredients were paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Results also show a relation between the most consumed types of drugs and the principal causes of drug intoxication reported by Costa Rica’s National Poison Center. 77.8% of the participants considered self-medication a risky practice. Conclusions: Self-medication is common among Costa Rican university students. The prevalence found is higher than that reported in previous studies conducted in the country. These findings suggest the need to implement prevention campaigns and regulatory policies to ensure the safe consumption of medical drugs.

scholarly journals Patterns of self-medication among university students in San Jose, Costa Rica

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Natalia Norori
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Poison Center ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
San Jose ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regulatory Policies

AbstractBackgroundSelf-medication is defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed symptoms without the supervision of healthcare physicians. Self-medication is a growing public health phenomenon and is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis and drug toxicity. This study aimed to identify the patterns associated with the practice of self- medication among university students in San José, Costa Rica.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was designed and conducted to identify variables associated. Information was collected on the conditions treated, medications used and their sources.ResultsThe study found that self-medication is highly prevalent among Costa Rican university students. 91.4% of the sample reported self-medicating, with each student consuming an average of 2.15, ± 1,08 drugs. The most Frequently used active ingredients were paracetamol and Ibuprofen. Results also show a relation between the most consumed types of drugs and the principal causes of drug intoxication reported by Costa Rica’s National Poison Center. 77.8% of the participants considered self-medication a risky practice.ConclusionsSelf-medication is common among Costa Rican university students. The prevalence found is higher than that reported in previous studies conducted in the country. These findings suggest the need to implement prevention campaigns and regulatory policies to ensure the safe consumption of medical drugs.

scholarly journals Self-Medication amongst the university students of Multan, Pakistan- A questionnaire based survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samman Chughtai
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Common Condition ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

Self-medication is a common incidence in the world today. This study aims to evaluate self-medication among university students of Multan, Pakistan. This randomized cross sectional study was carried out in Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan during December 2015- January 216. A sample size of 200 students was randomly selected. Response rate was 90% (n=182).The prevalence of self-medication among the students was determined to be 83%. There was difference in perception of pharmacy students and students of other professions. Most common condition in which students did self-medication was headache (49.66%; n=75). Students also showed tendency of self-medication in case of herbal and essential oil products (46.35%). Awareness concerning insecurity and benefits of self-medication must be spread among students to avoid the complications of self-medication. 

Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics and Antimalarials Among Sudanese Undergraduate University Students

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1249-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelmoneim I Awad ◽  
Idris B Eltayeb
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Private University ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Study Population

Background: In many developing countries, up to 60–80% of health problems are self-medicated. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and/or antimalarials and identify factors promoting such use among university students in Sudan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, using a pretested questionnaire on a sample of 1300 students selected from 5 universities in Khartoum State, Sudan. Results: Eight hundred ninety-one (79.5%; 95% CI 77.0 to 81.8) students from the study population had used antibiotics or antimalarials without a prescription within 1–2 months prior to the study. Four hundred ninety (55%; 95% CI 51.7 to 58.3) of the respondents stated that they had used antibiotics, 39 (4.4%; 95% CI 3.2 to 6.0) had used antimalarials, and 362 (40.6%; 95% CI 37.4 to 43.9) had used both. Overall, self-medication with antibiotics or antimalarials was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older compared with those 20 years of age or younger (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.09; p = 0.004) and among students attending private universities compared with those attending public universities (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.95; p = 0.028). Self-medication with antibiotics followed a simitar pattern, which was significantly more common among students 21 years of age or older (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81; p = 0.03) and private university respondents (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.02; p = 0.003). Self-medication with antimalarials was found to be significantly less common among females (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.97; p = 0.028) and higher among the 21 years or older age group (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.40; p < 0.001), The most common reason indicated for self-medication was the respondents’ previous experiences with similar ailments. The main source of drugs was community pharmacies. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/antimalarials among undergraduate university students in Khartoum State is high. Our findings highlight the need for planning interventions to promote the judicious use of antibiotics/antimicrobials.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication with Antifungal Drugs and Herbal Products Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 2191-2200
Author(s):  
Walaa Ahmed Khairy ◽  
Hebatallah A Nasser ◽  
Mai D Sarhan ◽  
Aliaa Ali El Shamy ◽  
Yasmine Samir Galal
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Products

scholarly journals Self-medication practices and rational drug use habits among university students: a cross-sectional study from Kahramanmaraş, Turkey

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramazan Azim Okyay ◽  
Ayşegül Erdoğan
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

BackgroundSelf-medication refers to the use of medicines to treat self-diagnosed diseases without consulting any healthcare professionals. Irrational drug use and self-medication have serious negative consequences both on health and economy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the habits related to rational use of drugs (RUD) and to estimate the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on university students in Kahramanmaraş. From May 2017 to June 2017 a total of 960 students filled a “Rational Use of Drugs Questionnaire”.ResultsThe prevalence of practicing self-medication in students was 63.4%. The most common medicines that the students had consumed without prescription were analgesics by 39.5%, antibiotics by 36.9% and cold remedies by 24.0%. The rate of students who declared that they were familiar with RUD and “rational use of antibiotics” (RUA) was 45.9%. Reading/checking the instructions in the prospectus (OR = 1.529, 95% CI [1.176–1.990]), understanding the context of the prospectus (OR = 1.893, 95% CI [1.387–2.584]), compliance with the duration of antibiotic treatment (OR = 1.597, 95% CI [1.231–2.071]) and consulting a physician in case of a side effect (OR = 1.350, 95% CI [1.037–1.757]) were significantly higher among students who were familiar with RUD as compared to who were not.DiscussionSince the awareness of RUD among university students was found to be inadequate, it has critical importance to hold educational activities with the cooperation of physicians, health organizations, universities, non-governmental organizations and media to avoid negative consequences of irrational drug use and self-medication.

scholarly journals Self-medication with antibiotics among non-medical university students of Karachi: a cross-sectional study

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Jawad Shah ◽  
Hamna Ahmad ◽  
Rija Binte Rehan ◽  
Sidra Najeeb ◽  
Mirrah Mumtaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical University

scholarly journals Self-Medication in University Students from the City of Mansoura, Egypt

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Helal ◽  
H. S. Abou-ElWafa
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Married Students ◽  
The City

Background. Self-medication is a common practice in developed and developing countries.Objectives. To explore the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students, probable reasons, symptoms requiring self-medication, and sources of advice.Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Mansoura University, Egypt, and included 1st and last year students of both medical and nonmedical faculties.Results. Prevalence of self-medication was 62.9%. Younger age, female, medical, and ever-married students and those having home pharmacy tended to self-medicate more than their peers with significant difference between them. Being medical student, being from urban area, having good current health condition, being careless about health, and having drugs stored at home pharmacy were independently associated with the likelihood of self-medicating.Conclusion. Prevalence of self-medication among university students is high which constitutes a health problem that needs intervention.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practice of self-medication among university students in Portugal: A cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
pp. 145507252096501
Author(s):  
Regina Ferreira Alves ◽  
José Precioso ◽  
Elisardo Becoña
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
Predicting Factors ◽  
Engineering Sciences

Aims: To describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of self-medication in college students and to analyse the predicting factors for the engagement in that behaviour. Design: This is a cross-sectional study involving students ( n = 840) from a Portuguese university, selected through stratified and proportional sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire containing, in addition to sociodemographic issues, a scale measuring knowledge about self-medication (α = .488), a scale measuring attitudes towards self-medication (α = .708) and questions about the patterns of self-medication practices (α = .445). Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analysed through independent t-tests and ANOVA. A generalised linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of self-medication. Results: Over half of the respondents ( 54.3%, n = 434) had used some form of self-medication during the preceding year. Students revealed poor knowledge about the referred practice, correctly answering 1.60 ( SD = 0.936) questions in a total of 3, and favourable attitudes towards self-medication ( M = 2.17, SD = 0.950, range 1–5). Attending engineering sciences (β = .718, 95% CI: 1.373–3.069, p < .001), being female (β = .866, 95% CI: 1.700–3.327, p < .001) and having negative attitudes towards self-medication (β = .367, 95% CI: 1.227–1.698, p < .001) predict the adoption of those practices. Conclusions: Self-medication is a common practice among university students, the level of self-medication knowledge is low and the low score of the level of attitudes revealed that students tended to have a correct positioning towards self-medication. Therefore, the recommendation to develop campaigns or educational programmes becomes obvious, in order to inform about the adverse effects of the use of non-prescribed medicine.

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