scholarly journals Prevalence and Current Practices of Self-Medication among Students of the Biomedicine Degree at the Health Sciences School

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 394-404
Author(s):  
Mariane Gabriela Terezani ◽  
Elís Claudia Ribeiro Cantarella ◽  
Luciana Estevam Simonato ◽  
Wagner Rafael da Silva ◽  
José Martins Pinto Neto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chemical Substance ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Area ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Medication Consumption ◽  
Educational Campaign ◽  
Substance Consumption ◽  
Antipyretic Medication

Self-medication is often seen as a solution for the immediate relief of symptoms, however, bringing serious consequences to consumer's health and serious public health problems in Brazil and the world. Still, regarding self-medication, the conduct of University students in the health area is observed, since the habit in this group is high. Given these facts and the need for epidemiological and toxicological evidence on self-medication of this school group, this study aims to verify the prevalence of self-medication in Biomedicine Degree students of the Universidade Brasil. It is a cross-sectional study conducted with 63 scholars from the first three graduation years of the Biomedicine degree at the Universidade Brasil, in Fernandópolis, São Paulo. A validated questionnaire with social and medication consumption variables was applied, followed by statistical analysis by the Mann-Whitney test. As a result, self-medication was considered an option for 59 of the participants, most of them juniors, female, aged between 18 and 20, with no previous college degree, with medical insurance and aware of possible health risks, even after access to classes or online surveys. The clinical condition preceding self-medication included mainly headache, myalgia, fever, and allergies. There was a preference for anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic medication, mainly antibiotics, and central nervous system stimulants. The habit of self-medication increases, gradually, during the graduation period, therefore is suggested the implementation of an educational campaign in the Biomedicine course curriculum to undo this cycle of chemical substance consumption.

scholarly journals Prevalence, knowledge and associated factors on self-medication practice among the community of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1108-1118
Author(s):  
Birendra Shrivastava ◽  
Omi Bajracharya ◽  
Rajani Shakya
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Medication Practice ◽  
Metropolitan City ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Self-medicine has become one of the important components in day-to-day life to treat mild ailments. If not used rationally, it may lead to serious public health issues. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence, knowledge, and associated risk factors of self-medication practice among the community of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City of Nepal. A cross-sectional community based prospective study was conducted among 1,004 participants of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City using a pretested and validated questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis with an alpha level of 0.05 by using SPSS. The prevalence of self-medication was 45.20%. The three most common ailments for practicing self-medication were fever, headache, and cough/cold. The top reason for self-medication was minor illness. The study indicated that overall knowledge scores were significantly associated with self-medication (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed the elderly are more oriented towards self-medication practice [AOR=5.22 (95%CI: 2.73-9.98)]. The health professional families have a high affinity towards self-medication practice [AOR=2.82 (95%CI: 1.68-4.75)]. Likewise, storing medicine at home [AOR= 7.01 (95%CI: 5.10-9.64)] and poor knowledge of medicine use were [AOR=1.81 (95%CI: 1.14-2.88)] more likely to prefer self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication was high, mostly due to the poor knowledge about appropriate medicine used. Self-medication is unavoidable in many situations; therefore, implementation of action plans to improve awareness about the consequences of self-medication is needed, thus facilitating its responsible use by the community.

scholarly journals Pattern of Self-Medication with Prescription Medicines Among Residents of Ilorin in North Central Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-198
Author(s):  
Muslim Olakunle Jamiu ◽  
AbdulAzeez Iyabode Fatima ◽  
Aliyu Fullaila Onozare
Keyword(s):  
Marital Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Level ◽  
P Value ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Prescription Medicines

Background: The challenge posed by inappropriate use of medicine is of global concern. It is associated with patient using his discretion to choose the type of medication to self-treat a perceived ailment and the choice of medication usually devoid of health care professional input. Objective: The significance of this study was to assess the pattern of self-medication with selected prescription medicines among residents of Agbo-Oba area of Ilorin, Kwara State. Method: The method was a descriptive cross-sectional study of residents of Agbo Oba area of Ilorin between January to May 2019 with self-designed validated questionnaire. Convenient sampling method was used to select the participant who met the criteria for selection. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 38.5±11.8 with minimum age of 19 and maximum age of 70 years. The most occurring age group was 26-35 years and primary school level of education, and artisan/trader were the most predominant in self-medication. Among the prescription medicines, antibiotics were the most self-used followed by steroids and cyproheptadine. Females were shown to practice self-medication more than their male counterpart. Marital status and level of education were factors that influenced awareness of risk factors associated with self-medication among the study participants, p-value = 0.017 and 0.039, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication with prescription medicines was high and appeared to be more among female than male. Specifically, female misuse oral corticosteroids and cyproheptadine more and marital status and occupation type are strong predictors of their awareness of potential risks associated with self-use of prescription medicines.

scholarly journals Evidences on Irrational Anti-Microbial Prescribing and Consumption among COVID-19 Positive Patients and Possible Mitigation Strategies: A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. S3-S7
Author(s):  
Monira Parveen ◽  
Md Maruf Ahmed Molla ◽  
Mahmuda Yeasmin ◽  
Tasnim Nafisa ◽  
Arifa Akram Barna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Testing Center

Background: Increased antimicrobial consumption has increased the burden on worsening situation of antimicrobial resistance throughout the world. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the practice of irrational antibiotic prescribing and consumption among COVID-19 positive patients of Bangladesh and its possible impact on existing AMR. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from a tertiary COVID-19 PCR testing center in Dhaka between 10th July 2020 and 20th July 2020. A validated questionnaire was used to gather data. Ethical approval was obtained. A total of 100 participants through random sampling was selected. Results: A total of 100 COVID-19 RT-PCR positive patients were participated in this study: 96% had mild symptoms, fever (81.0%) was the most common presenting symptoms, 45.0% patients did not consult with physicians even after knowing their positive test results and reported self medicating with antibiotics, and 36.0% were treated with multiple antibiotics and antiviral at a time. Azithromycin (46.0%), Ivermectin (22.0%) and doxycycline (21.0%) were the antibiotics most used, which were mainly obtained from local retail pharmacies. Conclusion: Practice of irrational antibiotic prescribing and self medication is relatively high among COVID-19 positive participants. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2020;7(suppl_2):S3-S7

scholarly journals A cross sectional questionnaire based study on self medication practice of analgesics among MBBS students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 633
Author(s):  
Shanmukananda P. ◽  
Shwetha H. ◽  
Veena D. R. ◽  
Poorvi M.
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Antiinflammatory Drugs ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Perception Of Self

Background: Self medication with analgesics is prevalent worldwide due to easy procurement of over the counter drugs. Present study was done to assess knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of self medication of analgesics among MBBS students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 5th term MBBS students of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru in November 2019.  A pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of self medication of analgesics. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: 83.3 % of 5th term MBBS students practiced self medication with analgesics. Majority of students had some knowledge on self medication with analgesics. Common reason for using analgesic self medication was headache (59.7%) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (90%) were commonly used analgesics. Analgesics were used for quick relief (73.3%) and source of information was from medical textbooks (61.6%). Students stopped taking analgesics after symptoms disappeared (75%). Students agreed that self medication is acceptable for medical students (63.3%) and medical license is required for better administration of drugs (51.3%).Conclusions: This study has found that self medication with analgesics was common among undergraduate medical students for minor illness. It is necessary to create awareness and educate students regarding dangers of analgesic self medication.

scholarly journals A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF ANTIBIOTIC USAGE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vitamin Deficiencies ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background: Antibiotics/antimicrobials constitute a major tool against infectious diseases in India especially due to host and environment factors like malnutrition, multiple vitamin deficiencies, overcrowding, illiteracy, poverty, poor sanitary facilities, low standards of personal hygiene and inadequate vector control. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire based study. It was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding antibiotic use and resistance. A pre-validated questionnaire prepared after a review of similar studies and scrutinized by subject experts has been used. Results: 80.00% of respondents agreed that antibiotic resistance is an important and serious public health issue in the hospital. 80.00% were aware that bacteria are not responsible for causing common cold and influenza. Conclusion: In our study, most of the students had good knowledge and were aware of the problem of antimicrobial resistance, but still used antibiotics for self-medication. Keywords: Knowledge, Medical student, Antibiotic.

scholarly journals Characteristics of psychoactive substances consumption among students of first and fifth year of Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University

2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (03) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Ćatović Amra ◽  
Krunoslava Gudelj
Keyword(s):  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chemical Substance ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychotropic Substances ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Substance Consumption

A psychoactive or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system, altering mental processes, e.g., cognition or affect. Their use can lead to addiction, so in common language ‘substance abuse’ implicate dependence-producing effect. In general, initiation to substance use happen during adolescence and early adulthood. The aim of this study was determining the pattern of psychoactive substance consumption among students at Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University. A cross-sectional study was conducted during May 2019 at Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University. The survey covered 102 students, who attended first and fifth year of study. The research instrument was a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Results were expressed as percentages and means ± standard deviation. During statistical analysis we performed Chi-squared and the bivariate testes. A sample included 102 students, of which 66 (64.7%) were female and 36 (35.3%) were male, while 52 (51.0%) attended first year and 50 (49.0%) attended fifth year. The majority of students (91.2%) had consumed caffeine. Consumption of cigarettes reported 63.7% of students, and consumption of alcohol reported 60.8% of students. Statistically significant differences in consumption of alcohol (P<0.0005), THC (P<0.0005), cocaine (P=0.001), and amphetamine (P=0.017) were found between gender. Statistically significant differences in consumption of cigarettes (P=0.034), caffeine (P=0.017), alcohol (P=0.007), THC (P<0.0005), and sedatives (P=0.003) were found between two study group. The use of psychotropic substances in youth represents a serious public health problem. Students should implement their knowledge, not only in their practice environment, but in everyday life.

Nigerian physiotherapists’ perception of direct access and patients’ self-referral

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada ◽  
Kayode D. Ojetola ◽  
Rufus Adesoji Adedoyin ◽  
Udoka A. C. Okafor ◽  
Olubusola E. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Physiotherapy Practice ◽  
South West ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Background: The global advocacy for Direct Access (DA) and Patients’ Self-Referral (PSR) to physiotherapy is consistent with the quest for promoting professional autonomy and recognition. It was hypothesized in this study that the attainment of this clarion call in Nigeria may be hamstrung by challenges similar or different from those reported in other climes. Objective: This study assessed the perception of DA and PSR among Physiotherapists (PTs) in South-West, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred PTs from ten purposely selected public-funded out-patient facilities from South-West, Nigeria responded in this cross-sectional study, yielding a response rate of 75% (100/150).  A previously validated questionnaire for World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) on the global view of DA and PSR for physical therapy was used in this study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There was a high awareness on legislation regulating practice (91%) and scope (84%) of the profession. Respondents assert that the extant legislation allows for DA (49%) and PSR (97%). However, 40% of the respondents opined that the baccalaureate qualification of PTs was inadequate for competence in DA and PSR; and a post-professional residency programme was mostly recommended (52%). Public support for DA and PSR to physiotherapy was rated more than the advocacy role of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (60% vs. 40%). Physicians’ (71%) and politicians’ (65%) views were rated the major barrier to achieving DA and PSR status in physiotherapy. Similarly, physicians’ (90%) and politicians’ (88%) support was perceived as the major facilitator.  Conclusion: Physiotherapy practice in Nigeria has the semblance of autonomy in DA and PSR but is devoid of legislative support. Most Nigerian physiotherapists assume professional autonomy but were not aware of the lack of legal support for DA and PSR. The current entry-level academic curricula were considered to be deficient and inadequate for autonomous practice in Nigeria.  Physicians and politicians were the most important barrier or facilitator to achieving legal support for DA and PSR in physiotherapy in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic determinants of unmet need for outpatient healthcare services in Iran: a national cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Vahedi ◽  
Amin Torabipour ◽  
Amirhossein Takian ◽  
Saeed Mohammadpur ◽  
Alireza Olyaeemanesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Outpatient Services ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Organizational Policies ◽  
Utilization Of Healthcare

Abstract Background Unmet need is a critical indicator of access to healthcare services. Despite concrete evidence about unmet need in Iran’s health system, no recent evidence of this negative outcome is available. This study aimed to measure the subjective unmet need (SUN), the factors associated with it and various reasons behind it in Iran. Methods We used the data of 13,005 respondents over the age of 15 from the Iranian Utilization of Healthcare Services Survey in 2016. SUN was defined as citizens whose needs were not sought through formal healthcare services, while they did not show a history of self-medication. The reasons for SUN were categorized into availability, accessibility, responsibility and acceptability of the health system. The multivariable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of SUN and associated major reasons. Results About 17% of the respondents (N = 2217) had unmet need for outpatient services. Nearly 40% of the respondents chose only accessibility, 4% selected only availability, 78% chose only responsibility, and 13% selected only acceptability as the main reasons for their unmet need. Higher outpatient needs was the only factor that significantly increased SUN, responsibility-related SUN and acceptability-related SUN. Low education was associated with higher SUN and responsibility-related SUN, while it could also reduce acceptability-related SUN. While SUN and responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among lower economic quintiles, having a complementary insurance was associated with decreased SUN and responsibility-related SUN. The people with basic insurance had lower chances to face with responsibility-related SUN, while employed individuals were at risk to experience SUN. Although the middle-aged group had higher odds to experience SUN, the responsibility-related SUN were prevalent among elderly, while higher age groups had significant chance to be exposed to acceptability-related SUN. Conclusion It seems that Iran is still suffering from unmet need for outpatient services, most of which emerges from its health system performance. The majority of the unmet health needs could be addressed through improving financial as well as organizational policies. Special attention is needed to address the unmet need among individuals with poor health status.

scholarly journals The prescription pattern and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis and resistance among a group of Egyptian pediatric and general dentists: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Mohsen Aly ◽  
Marwa Aly Elchaghaby
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽  
Antibiotic Prescription ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
General Dentists

Abstract Background The use of antibiotics in dentistry as prophylaxis and treatment is frequent. Their misuse has led to a major public health problem globally known as antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to assess the pattern of antibiotic prescription and its prophylactic use for systemic conditions. Besides, this study evaluated the awareness and adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines and antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines along with awareness of antibiotic resistance across pediatric and general dentists. Methods An overall of 378 pediatric and general dentists meeting the required eligibility criteria, fulfilled a pre-designed validated questionnaire. Data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results A significant statistical difference was found among the pediatric and general dentists regarding antibiotics prescription for most of the oral conditions where Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic among the two groups (53% pediatric dentist and 52% general dentist). The majority of pediatric and general dentists, on the other hand, were aware of antibiotic resistance and prescribing recommendations. Conclusions The present study showed a tendency to overprescribe and overuse antibiotics in certain dental conditions among the participants. The vast majority of dentists, especially general dentists do not have adherence to professional guidelines for antibiotics prescription in children despite their awareness of antibiotic resistance and prescription guidelines.

scholarly journals High prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma patients and the impact of vitamin D levels, a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Oortgiesen ◽  
J. A. Kroes ◽  
P. Scholtens ◽  
J. Hoogland ◽  
P. Dannenberg - de Keijzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Hypovitaminosis D ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We hypothesized that the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and PN described in diabetes mellitus patients may also be present in MM patients. Methods To study this potential association, we assessed the incidence of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D < 75 nmol/L [= 30 ng/mL]) in smouldering and active MM patients in two Dutch hospitals. Furthermore, a validated questionnaire was used to distinguish different PN grades. Results Of the 120 patients included between January 2017 and August 2018, 84% had an inadequate vitamin D level (median vitamin D level 49.5 nmol/L [IQR 34–65 nmol/L]; mean age: 68 years [SD ± 7.7]; males: 58%). PN was reported by 69% of patients (n = 83); however, of these 83 patients, PN was not documented in the medical records of 52%. An association was found between lower vitamin D levels and higher incidence of PN in the total population (P = 0.035), and in the active MM patients (P = 0.016). Conclusion This multi-centre cohort study showed that PN and hypovitaminosis D are common in MM patients, and addressing low vitamin D levels in the treatment of MM patients might be beneficial in reducing the risk of PN. More attention for PN is warranted, as PN is underreported by clinicians. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of vitamin D in the development of PN in patients with MM. Clinical trial registration Netherland Trial Register NL5835, date of registration July 28, 2016

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