scholarly journals Prevalence of Self-medication among MBBS students of a Medical College in Kathmandu

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (222) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjan Khadka ◽  
Kumud Kumar Kafle

Introduction: Self-medication refers to self-prescription which includes diagnosing and treating one’s own illness and prescribing for one’s self. Though appropriate self-medication relieves acute symptoms, is time saving and economical, it should not be advocated because of more risks than benefits. Self-medication practices were found to vary in medical students of Nepal and India. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication among medical students. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 MBBS students. The study involved the administration of the research questionnaire including demographic information, practice of self-medication, type of illness, factors influencing self-medication, commonly self- prescribed drugs, sources and strategies to reduce such practices. The data were analyzed using Graph pad prism version 6. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 58 (76.6%), more common among first year students. The common illness found was headache and common drug self-prescribed was analgesic-antipyretic. The most common source of obtaining medicines for all three year medical students was pharmacy. Students were also prescribing medicines to family members, friends and juniors. More than half of the students 52 (68.4%) reported that self-medication practices should be encouraged. Conclusions: Self-medication had been widely practiced among medical students. Self-medication can relieve medical problems but also involve the risks of adverse drug reactions, resistance and masking of underlying diseases. Medical students should be given enough exposure for better understanding of rational prescribing to minimize self-medication. The further study on practice of self-medication is needed on various health professionals and even in general community.

Author(s):  
Sajjan Madappady ◽  
Hemant Kumar ◽  
S. Jayaram ◽  
Krutarth Brahmbhatt ◽  
Manjula Anil ◽  
...  

Background: Tobacco kills more than seven million people each year. In India tobacco kills nearly one million people each year and many of these deaths occur among people who are very young. Studies indicate that approximately 70% of all tobacco users would like to quit smoking and tobacco use.Methods: A non-randomized, cross sectional study was conducted in a Medical College in Mangaluru (Karnataka) which included medical students from first year to third year. A module developed by “Quit Tobacco International” was used for the purpose of training and counselling the selected medical students, focusing on the specific effects of tobacco, depicting simulated case scenarios.Results: A total of 404 medical students were included in the study. It was observed that 15.9% males and 5.3% females among first year students, 21.0% males and 5.3% females among second year students and 24.6% males and 9.2% females among third year students had smoked at some point in their life while the among current users, the prevalence of smoking was found to be much higher i.e. 8.7% and 2.6% among first year students, 9.9% and 3.5% among second year students; while it as highest among third year students i.e. 14% and 4.6%; among boys and girls respectively.Conclusions: The study brings out the need for inclusion of structured teaching and training of our medical students on harmful effects of tobacco use and its cessation techniques.


Author(s):  
Kishore Y. Jothula ◽  
Praveena Ganapa ◽  
Sreeharshika D. ◽  
Navya K. Naidu ◽  
Abhishek P.

Background: Medical profession is one of the most highly rated professions among the students due to the fact that it offers prospects of a financially as well as a socially satisfying career. It was observed that many students in India prefer a career in medicine because of parental pressure. It has been consistently reported that a considerable proportion of medical students regret their career choice. Considering all these aspects the current study aimed at knowing the factors influencing to take up medical profession, interest towards different modes of teaching, reasons for least attention during the class and regret after choosing medicine as career.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 first year medical students with a pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire. Data collected was analysed using SPSS software.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 17.94±0.82 and majority were females (72%). Majority (82.6%) students opted MBBS out of self-interest. To earn respect in the society (83.87%) was the most common motivational factor to opt MBBS. 39.33% of the subjects was having regret feeling for choosing medical profession.Conclusions: Self-interest was the major reason for opting MBBS. Parent’s pressure was also observed as one of the reasons for opting MBBS. Almost one third of the students were having the feeling of regret for opting medical profession. Special attention should be paid towards these students.


2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (180) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Khanal ◽  
R H Ghimire ◽  
B Gautam ◽  
SK Dhungana ◽  
P Parajuli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Substance use including tobacco and alcohol is the most important cause of preventable morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. The study aims to specify the prevalence and the pattern of use of different substance. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed amongst first year and final year students in four medical colleges in Kathmandu using self administered anonymous questionnaire.Data collectedfrom 446 students were analyzed. Results: Prevalence of substance use was found to be 60.3% among the medical students. Alcohol (57.6%) was the substance most prevalently used followed by tobacco (27.58%) and cannabis (12.8%). Mean age of first exposure was 17.94 (Confidence interval: 17.91-17.97). There was significant difference in the useof tobacco and cannabis amongst final year students than first year students. Male and female differed significantly in use of every substance except for benzodiazepine. Medical college, college and school were place of first exposure in 17.26%, 15.92% and 13.23% of the cases respectively. Family history was associated with substance use in medical students and was statistically significant (P<0.0001).Experimentation was the major reason for the use of most of the substances. Conclusions: Substance use is prevalent in male medical students of both first and final year. Hence steps should be initiated early in school, college and medical college to prevent substance use. Keywords: alcohol, medical students, substance use, tobacco.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (09) ◽  
pp. 1895-1901
Author(s):  
Ahmed Murtaz Khalid ◽  
Noman Sadiq ◽  
Aiman Farogh Anjum ◽  
Iffat Naiyar Hashmi ◽  
Misbah Aslam ◽  
...  

Objectives: To know the perception of peer-learning among first batch of 1st year medical students in CMH Kharian Medical College. Study Design: Cross-Sectional study. Setting: CMH Kharian Medical College. Period: June 2018 and September 2018. Material & Methods: Questionnaire was distributed among hundred first year medical students on self-reflection and feedback after 15 min power point presentation given by their fellow students based on different pathophysiological scenarios. Results: Out of 100 students, 85 filled out questionnaire form completely. 60% of students were of the opinion that peer-learning facilitated them to perform better in the exam, and can be continued for future batches. 50% of students agreed that this innovative learning modality was conducted in a systematic manner, helped them to improve their understanding of the subject and learning was fostered based on the principles of self-reflection and feedback. Problem solving ability was improved by peer learning format according to 49% of students, while 47% of students reported that this innovative learning strategy provided them with a tool to improve their learning through interaction, while research capabilities of 37% students were improved. Conclusion: Majority of first year medical students lacking senior guidance learned better in a comfortable environment from their peers, and improved understanding of the core subject by realizing the implication of the concept of self-reflection and feedback.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surya Bahadur Parajuli ◽  
Anjali Mishra ◽  
Heera KC ◽  
Prem Bhattarai ◽  
Sharad Karki ◽  
...  

Background: Self-medication is the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders/symptoms, or the intermittent/continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic/recurrent disease/symptoms (WHO). It is the cause for antibiotic resistance, inappropriate treatment, financial burden and many deaths. WHO listed self-medication as one of the priority research area at the local context. The objective of the study was to find the prevalence and pattern of self-medication in surrounding communities of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the surrounding communities of Birat Medical College from 1st August 2018 to 15th December 2018. Multistage sampling was used to collect information from 348 household having family members aged 16 years and above. Ethical approval was taken from Institutional Review Committee of Birat Medical College. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used. Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.5±15.9 years. Prevalence of self-medication was 44.04%. Majority took self-medication for headache 43.6% followed by common cold 39.1% etc. Majority used allopathic drugs 82.7% followed by traditional healers 9.8%. Common medication were antipyretics 18.8%, antibiotics 16.5%, proton pump inhibitor 7.5%, antihistamines 6.8% etc. The reason behind self-medication were low cost 30.1%, time saving 24.1%, illness too trivial/mild for consultation 18.8%, quick relief 18.1%, high doctor fee 15 %, lack of awareness 13.5 %,  familiar with treatment options 12.8%, long waiting line in hospital 12% etc. Out of them 8.3% noticed side effects of self-medication. Out of all 59.5% felt the need of awareness program on rational use of medicines. Age, sex, marital status, ethnicity, religion, education and occupation of participants, education and occupation of head of household, poverty status, family type, house residence type, type of house has no significant association with self-medication. Participants residing in alani/rent households were 1.93 times more likely to self-medicate than those residing in their own and participants having negative attitude were 1.90 times more likely to self-medicate than those who had positive attitude and both were statistically significant.  Conclusions: The burden of self-medication was present and allopathic drugs including antibiotics were common. Adverse drug reactions were reported but participants were unaware about the place to report. Participants had negative attitude towards self-medication which is harmful for their health. As pharmacy was the common source of self-medication, the prescription based medicine dispensary should be advocated.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-156
Author(s):  
Rukhsana Parvin ◽  
Noortaj Begum ◽  
Md Aminul Haque Khan

Background: Smoking is a recognized harmful factor for general health. The prevalence of smoking is gradually increasing among the young people. Medical students are also vulnerable in this arena. Worldwide studies revealed that students start and continue smoking during their school and college periods.Objectives: To determine the current tobacco use among medical college students and to find out the risk factors associated with smoking and also to assess the knowledge of students regarding smoking.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of different educational levels (first year to fifth year) in Enam Medical College, Savar, Dhaka during the period January to March 2012. An anonymous, pretested, selfadministered study questionnaire was distributed among the subjects. Data collected included smoking habits, demographic factors such as age, gender, parents’ occupation and monthly income. Study subjects were categorized as smokers, non-smokers and ex-smokers. Smoking-related knowledge was assessed and opinion regarding cessation of smoking was documented. The data were entered into the computer and statistical analyses were done using GraphPad Prism version 6.01.Results: Among the study subjects 290 were male and 202 were female. There were 79 (27.24%) smokers, 199 (68.62%) non-smokers and 12 (4.13%) ex-smokers among male and 197 (97.52%) non-smokers, 4 (1.98%) smokers and 1 (0.49%) ex-smoker in female. Regarding age, 196 (39.83%) students were below 20 years of age and 296 (60.16%) were more than 20 years of age. Most of the smokers (43.37%) are from affluent families. Influence of friends (44.57%) is the major reason of smoking followed by depression (27.71%). About 37.34% smokers have family members who are currently smoking. Regarding quitting smoking, 66% intended to stop smoking. The reasons for no intention to stop smoking include lack of incentive followed by addiction. There are significant differences among study subjects regarding smoking related knowledge.Conclusion: Even medical students are not fully aware of health consequences due to smoking and this lack of knowledge may lead to increase the number of smokers among students. Appropriate anti-smoking measures should be taken to create awareness about smoking and its health consequences and to reduce the incidence of smoking among the students.J Enam Med Col 2016; 6(3): 152-156


Author(s):  
Udaykiran Bhalge ◽  
Bhaskar Gaikwad ◽  
Pramod Kulkarni ◽  
Anant A. Takalkar ◽  
Mukund D. Bhise

Background: There are several risk factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases, such as age, gender and ethnicity. Positive family history being overweight and obese is also additional risk factors. Other, life style factor that contribute to hyper tension are smoking, stress cell phone use and physical inactivity, consumption of alcohol, increase salt intake reduce potassium intake. The objective of the study was to assess the awareness about cardiovascular diseases risk factors amongst first-year medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst 136 first-year medical students of MIMSR Medical College, Latur, Maharashtra during the period of December 2017 to May 2018. A self-administered, pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information about awareness of cardiovascular diseases risk factors including diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol habits from the study subjects.Results: The study subjects were 136 first-year medical students belonging to 18–23 years age group. There was good awareness about high fat food, high sugar intake, smoking and alcohol consumption as cardiovascular diseases risk factors.Conclusions: There is good awareness about cardiovascular diseases risk factors among first-year medical students. 


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Gupta ◽  
Chirag Vohra ◽  
Pankaja Raghav

AbstractBackgroundTo reduce the magnitude of antimicrobial resistance, there is a need to change the knowledge and behavior of future prescribers regarding use and prescription of antibiotics. This can be ensured through the appropriate training of next generation doctors and medical students. But, before planning or strengthening any teaching or training program for any group, it is required to have a conclusive evidence about knowledge, attitude and practices of that group. With this background this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and the practices of medical students in India with respect to antibiotic resistance and usageMethodsIt was a cross-sectional study which was done online through google forms. A semi-structured questionnaire containing a five point Likert scale was used for the data collection. The questionnaire was sent to medical students across India by sharing link through contacts of Medical Students Association of India. Respondent-driven sampling technique was also adopted for the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.25 and Microsoft Excel 2016.ResultsThe overall mean score of awareness for the students was 4.36 + 0.39. As compared to first year students, mean score of awareness was significantly higher among students of all the years. A significantly better awareness was also observed among pre final year students as compared to other years. Variable practices have been observed regarding use of antibiotics among medical students.ConclusionThe awareness level of medical students regarding antibiotics and its resistance was quite satisfactory. As far as attitude and practices are concerned, there is a significant need for improvements.


Author(s):  
Novonil Deb ◽  
Poulami Roy

Background: Dunning Kruger (DK) effect refers to overestimation of one’s ability which is attributed to their inadequacy of metacognitive skills i.e., the low-performing individuals are often nescient of their incompetence which leads them to reach fallacious conclusions and make regrettable choices. Objectives of the study were to assess the degree of DK effect among the first-year medical students and to compare the associated socio-economic variables.Methods:  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the interested first-year medical students of North Bengal medical college and hospital from March 2021 to April 2021 using a questionnaire. Responses were recorded in Microsoft excel 2017, analysed, and presented in form of tables and charts following principles of descriptive statistics.Results: The overall prevalence of DK effect was found to be 78.38% among the first-year medical students. Higher prevalence was observed among females (80.28%) as compared to males (75%). Students having low study hours (79.13%), no academic achievements (77.5%), and greater hours of sleep (79.74%) manifested more predisposition to DK effect.Conclusions: In our research, we have noticed a higher DK effect among the first-year medical students, which might hamper the quality of treatment and patient care in the future. Proper orientation and counselling methods are required to overcome this phenomenon.


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