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A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study on Paracetamol Consumption Patterns among the Students Residing in the Urban Areas of Bangladesh
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| Author:
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FAHIMA JANNAT KOLY, SAIMON SHAHRIAR, SAMIHA SAYEED, ARIFUL ISLAM, MD SHAH AMRAN
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| Abstract:
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Background: Paracetamol is an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug which is often consumed by students without a prescription not knowing the possible adverse effects and interactions.
Aim: The study aimed to discern the paracetamol consumption pattern among Bangladeshi city-dwelling students aged 15-26 years.
Methodology: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted based upon an online survey on students (n=452) of the age group 15-26 years in September 2019 where they answered different questions on paracetamol consumption.
Results: 85.57% and 84.88% participants of the 15-20 years and 21-26 years ranges, respectively, described that they took paracetamol, so did 84.13% male and 86.74% female participants. The majority of the paracetamol-consuming students (n=385) took it with food (93.60%) and as a 500 mg dose tablet (93.54%). Fever, pain and headache were the most described indications and the pain was described as a reason to take the drug by women more frequently than men in a statistically significant way (P = 0.0098). Self-medication was described by 87.53% of them and even when paracetamol did not work, 58.18% did not consult with a physician.
Conclusion: The study suggested that paracetamol intake was very common among the students, so was self-medication with it, which led to self-medication with antibiotics. Wide availability and lack of knowledge regarding the side effects of using paracetamol would result in varying health problems in students. Necessary steps should be taken to educate students on rational drug use to prevent future health hazards.
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| Keyword:
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Paracetamol, consumption pattern, self-medication, student, antibiotics.
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| EOI:
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| DOI:
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https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2021.13.03.002
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| Download:
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