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Assessing the Perceptions and Practice of Self-Medication among Saudi Undergraduate Pharmacy Students
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| Author:
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NUZHAT BANU, MUNFIS PATEL, MOHAMMAD DAUD ALI, AYAZ AHMAD
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| Abstract:
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Introduction: Self-medication has become a global health concern recently. There has been a drastic increase in self-medication practice among students due to the drug knowledge they gain during their study and also some leniency on the laws governing the sale of OTC (over the counter) medications. Although beneficial self-medication may pose serious health concerns and so need to be addressed. This study is designed to assess perception and practices of self-medication among undergraduate pharmacy students.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2020 at Mohammad Al-Mana College for Medical sciences. Data was collected from 241 undergraduate pharmacy students of all levels. The questionnaire consisted of demographics, factors responsible, indication for medication and their knowledge and attitude towards self-medication, common medications used.
Results: The prevalence of self-medication was higher among undergraduate pharmacy students (71.78%). Highest percentage of students practiced self-medication for treating headache (68.46%). The most common factor responsible for self-medication is previous experience (56.43%). The most preferred drugs were analgesics (77.17%). The perception of most of the students in each year is that the drug knowledge they gain during their study will change their self-medication practice with final year showing the highest percentage (29.04%). Pharmacist was the major source of drug information in both female (44.40%) and male (12.03%).
Conclusion: The study revealed an overall high prevalence of self-medication practice among undergraduate students. The study findings address the crucial need to address the issue professionally by educating them through syllabus modifications.
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| Keyword:
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Knowledge, over the counter medicine, Practice, Pharmacy students, Saudi Arabia, Self-medication
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| EOI:
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| DOI:
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https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2020.SP2.171
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| Download:
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