scholarly journals The Prevalence of Self-Medication With Painkillers Among Iraqi Medical Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Marek A. Motyka ◽  
Mahmoud Mishaal ◽  
Shireen Mohammad ◽  
Nooralhuda Sameer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Analgesic Use

BACKGROUND: The use of painkillers is widespread worldwide, some people experience unwanted side effects, and some may overuse them. Self-medication is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses and collateral symptoms.   OBJECTIVES: We aim to determine the prevalence and pattern of self-medication with painkillers among a population of undergraduate medical students in Baghdad. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study, via convenient sampling, among 502 medical students (n=502) from the University of Baghdad, Al-Mustansirya University, Al-Kindy University, Al-Nahrain University, and Al-Iraqia University. We distributed an anonymous online questionnaire to the students. The survey included questions on demographic variables and information on self-medicating with painkillers during the academic year of 2018-2019. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of painkillers was 68.73%, 73% were females, and 27% were males. There was a statistically significant association between gender and the use of analgesics. Still, there was no statistically significant association between the academic level of students and analgesic use. The frequency of analgesic use per month was less than once (34.5%) of the participants, 1-3 times (37.1%), 4-6 times (14.2%), 7-9 times (7%), 10-12 times (3.1%), and more than 13 times (4%) of the participants. Most of the respondents (68%) reported that there was no difference in use between regular college days and exam days. The most common cause of use was headache (71%) for males and females, while dysmenorrhea was the second most common cause among female participants (36%). The most common source of information about analgesics relied on by the respondents was from friends (50.1%), family members, pharmacists, textbooks, the internet, and nurses. The most commonly used drug was Acetaminophen. CONCLUSION: Self-medication with analgesics is highly prevalent among undergraduate medical students in Baghdad, and we need to raise the awareness of the public on the potentials of addictive behavior.

scholarly journals Behavior of Medical Students toward Over-the-Counter Drugs in Comparison to Students from Other Faculties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Professional Guidance

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Relationship Between Online Learning Environment and Medical Students’ Wellbeing During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 108-117
Author(s):  
Rita Mustika ◽  
◽  
Edward Christopher Yo ◽  
Muhammad Faruqi ◽  
Rahma Tsania Zhuhra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been found to negatively affect medical students’ wellbeing. This finding may be related to how medical education is being conducted at present, with online learning replacing face-to-face teaching in many countries. This cross-sectional study aims to assess how the online learning environment is connected to medical students’ wellbeing. Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to undergraduate medical students at Universitas Indonesia. The study was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021. The questionnaire included a modified version of the Online Learning Environment Scale (OLES) and the Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment (PERMA) profiler. The OLES was used to evaluate students’ perceptions of the online learning environment, whereas the PERMA Profiler was used to evaluate students’ wellbeing. We validated the questionnaire before distribution. The content validity index was 1.0, with internal consistency coefficients of 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between OLES and PERMA scores. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 274 undergraduate medical students. Students reported moderate to high degrees of positive perception towards online learning, high levels of positive emotions and moderate levels of negative emotions. Statistically significant differences were found across groups based on students’ gender, year of study and academic programme. Almost all aspects of the online learning environment were significantly predictive of students’ wellbeing, with personal relevance and evaluation and assessment being the two most important predictors (R2 = 0.201; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Medical students generally enjoyed online learning, although some challenges were presented. The online learning environment was positively associated with students’ wellbeing; however, some students expressed negative emotions including loneliness, anxiety, anger and sadness.

scholarly journals Self-medication among Undergraduate Medical Students of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine: Where do We Stand?

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Ramadan ◽  
Asmaa Eltaweel ◽  
Tamwe El Nakhal ◽  
Hanan Hemead ◽  
Abdelrahman Maraqa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sample Technique ◽  
Antihistaminic Drugs ◽  
Academic Study

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Alexandria Faculty of Medicine and recognize the patterns and the attitude of students towards intake. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students attending Alexandria Faculty of Medicine from both national and international programs during the period of June 2013 until October 2013. A self-administrated, semi-constructed questionnaire was used to assess the practice of self-medication among 408 students who were randomly selected using a stratified random sample technique. Results: Self-medication was reported by 208 (52.7%) students, with no significant difference between males and females. The highest percentage of self-medication was reported among those who have completed six years of academic study and the lowest was reported among those who have completed two years of academic study. There was a statistically significant association between educational stage (preclinical and clinical) practice of self-medication. Most common medications involved were analgesic and anti-inflammatory followed by decongestants, antimicrobials and antihistaminic drugs. 309 (78.8%) students believed that self-medication is acceptable. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that self-medication is practiced by more than half of undergraduate medical students in the Faculty of Medicine - Alexandria University. Acquiring medical knowledge seems to be associated with the practice of self-medication. Therefore, more attention should be paid to medical curricula to raise awareness and limit the hazardous effects of this phenomenon

scholarly journals Knowledge and Practice of Self-medication among Undergraduate Medical Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anishma Karmacharya ◽  
Bipashwi Nath Uprety ◽  
Ravi Shankar Pathiyil ◽  
Sudesh Gyawali
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Prior Consent ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
One Year

Introduction: Self-medication is an important aspect of self-care. It is a common practice in society and medical students are no exception. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and practice of self-medication among students of a medical school in Western Nepal. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among basic science and clinical students after obtaining prior consent from those willing to participate. Respondents’ degree of agreement with a set of 25 statements was noted using Likert scale to assess their knowledge. The practice of self-medication was studied by asking about the use of selected groups of medicines during the past one-year period and noting the pattern of use. Results: Three hundred and thirty of the 356 students (92.6%) participated in the study. Mean knowledge score was 93.2 (SD = 8.1). Self-medication was practiced by 83.3% (n = 275) of respondents. Knowledge about self-medication differed among respondents according to gender (p = 0.03) and nationality (p = 0.04) but not other variables. Practice of self-medication was associated with father’s profession (p = 0.03) and nationality of the respondents (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Students’ knowledge about self-medication was good and they commonly practiced self-medication. Pain-killers were the most commonly used drug.

scholarly journals Awareness among medical students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi regarding use of anti-bacterial soaps: A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Abida Shaheen ◽  
Nismat Javed ◽  
Fahad Azam ◽  
Madiha Ata ◽  
Anoosh Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Television Commercials ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Source Of Information

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, practices and attitudes of undergraduate medical students about anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with the help of a self-designed, validated online and paperback questionnaire.  The questions were based on knowledge, attitudes and practices of students regarding antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. Results: A total of 474 students participated in the study. Majority of the students preferred medicated soaps (55.7%) and hand sanitizers (41.6%) for daily use and considered these products to be superior to regular non-medicated soaps and hand sanitizers. Television commercials (61.8%) were the most common source of information about these products. Medical students found it important to further increase the use of medicated soaps for better protection against disease causing microbes. Conclusion: Majority of the study participants were conscious about hygiene and hand sanitization because of interaction with patients. Moreover, most of the students perceived medicated soaps and hand sanitizers to be effective for protection against disease causing microbes under the influence of media marketing campaigns.

Prevalence, practice and pattern of self-medication among medical students in Al-Iraqia Medical College, Baghdad, Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (o3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawar Sahib Khalil ◽  
Reem Ali Haddad ◽  
Israa Talib Hassan2 ◽  
Ruqaya Subhi Tawfeeq
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Minor Illness ◽  
One Year ◽  
Source Of Information

Introduction: Self-medication is increasingly being a common practice worldwide more so amongst the medical students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-medication among the medical students and to describe the self-reported practice and pattern of medication by undergraduate medical students at Al-Iraqia University in Baghdad city. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey. Out of 440 students enrolled, 400 (>90%) responded. The data was collected using self-administrated pretested questionnaire and then analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: During the last one year preceding the study, 85% of respondents using self-medication mostly among single students (98.2%), aged 20+ years old (56.5%), in fourth academic level (27.1%), living with their families (73.2%) and of non-sufficient income (54.7%). The main indication for seeking self-medication include headache as reported by 83.8% followed by cold and cough and fever 80.3% and pain elsewhere in body (70%). Drugs commonly used for self-medication included analgesics 89.4% and anti-pyretic 67.9%. Minor illness was the most common reason for self-medication (80.6%). 56.8% and 45% of respondents follow pharmacist and textbooks respectively as a source of information in practicing self-medication. Most of respondents practiced self-medication for themselves (57.9%) and for both; themselves and their family members (45%). Some level of awareness was reported among non-practiced self-medication students; 60% of them were afraid from risk of adverse reaction of drugs. Conclusion: Self-medication is broadly practiced among medical students in this College. Therefore, there is need to improve the medical educational program to raise the awareness level regarding the advantage and disadvantages of self-medication to ensure safe usage of drugs.

Self-medication Practice Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Nepalgunj Medical College, Chisapani

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-70
Author(s):  
Ankita Singh ◽  
Dhabal Bahadur Dhami ◽  
Ritesh Singh ◽  
Gaurav Jung Shah
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Self ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medication Practice ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Pros And Cons

Introduction: Self-medication forms an essential part of the self-care. Since medical students are being exposed to the knowledge of diseases and drugs, would assume a special significance to assess the self-medication practice among them. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to April 2018 in 200 preclinical medical students of Nepalgunj Medical College (NGMC), Chisapani. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and the students who took self-medication within last two months were included. Result: Out of 200 students, 123 (61.5%) were found practicing self-medication. Majority of students (47.97%) were taking Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for fever (18.70%), headache (17.89%) and abdominal pain (13.01%). 21.14% of students were consuming paracetamol for these health ailments. 44.72% of students reported that they were practicing self-medication because of the mild nature of illness. Conclusion: Students are widely practicing self-medication, particularly NSAIDs group of drugs. In this situation, awareness about the pros and cons of self-medication should be must in the medical students.

scholarly journals SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AND PERCEPTIONS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF MULTAN MEDICAL & DENTAL COLLEGE, MULTAN

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Asif Noor ◽  
Ejaz Hussain Sahu ◽  
Muhammad Umer Abdullah ◽  
Aftab Yousaf
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
N 93 ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Background: Self-medication can be defined as "the drugs which are used to treat self-diagnosed disorders or indications, or the irregular or continued use of a prescribed drug for persistent or recurrent disease or symptoms." Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was performed to understand the perceptions and practices about self-medication among students admitted to one of medical colleges in Pakistan located in Multan. A structured Questionnaire was distributed to the consenting students. The data were coded, entered and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Out of 95 medical students 47.7% (n=45) were males and 52.3% (n=55) were females. Results: Among participants, self-medication was found in 98% (n=93) cases. Among self-medication respondents, more than 50% treated themselves only once while 32% twice, 12% thrice and only 2.1 % more than thrice. Self-medication was equally common in 3rd year, fourth year and final year medical students. While 24.2% of respondents perceived as a good practice, 42.1% took it as an acceptable practice while33.7% were of opinion that it was a totally unacceptable practice. The study revealed different reasons for self-medication and found that the most common reason was non-seriousness of disease i.e 43.2%, followed by convenience / time factor 42.1%, Cost saving 13.7% and least one was the non-availability of physician 1.1% . Regarding the use of drugs, antibiotics were the most common class used as self-medication 27.4%, followed by anti allergics 23.2%, vitamins 17.9%, pain killers 16.8% and antacids in 14.7 % cases. Conclusion: The study results indicate that Self-medication was common among medical students from clinical classes and most of students treated themselves at least once.

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