Exploration of Self-Medication: Examining Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Undergraduate Medical Students – A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors/Creators
- 1. Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Suryapet, Telangana, India
Description
Introduction: Self-medication is widespread among medical students, impacting health outcomes. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on self-medication among this population is essential to guide interventions for responsible medication use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 undergraduate medical students at Government Medical College Suryapet to assess their KAP towards self-medication using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data. Results: Demographic: The sample comprised 150 males and 150 females. Age distribution: 35%, 42%, and 23% were aged 18-20, 21-23, and above 23. Year of study distribution: 31%, 36%, and 33% in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Approximately 3% reported that they have chronic medical illnesses. Knowledge: Fifty four percent accurately defined self-medication. 62% acknowledged potential adverse effects in all medications. Furthermore, 57% stressed the importance of basic drug knowledge was essential for self-medication. While 65% correctly identified age-based self-medication limitations.41% suggested discontinuation if adverse effect appears. Attitude: Fifteen percent endorsed that all dosage ranges posed risks, and 20% strongly agreed that self-medication was unsafe across age groups. Further, 53% endorsed close symptom monitoring during self-medication, while 64% believed self-medication drugs could interact with other drugs and food. Additionally, 45% considered certain self-medication drugs unsafe during pregnancy. Practice: Twenty nine percent admitted consuming medication without reading package inserts, 17% shared prescriptions with symptomatic peers. Additionally, 38% self-medicated without medical knowledge, and 21% extended self-medication without medical oversight. Cost-saving motivated 25%, while 18% were uncertain about prescription necessity. Moreover, 12% reported adverse effects from self-medication. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the diverse KAP regarding self-medication among undergraduate medical students, with demographic-specific targeted educational interventions that can cultivate responsible self-medication practices, ensuring safe and effective medication use.
Abstract (English)
Introduction: Self-medication is widespread among medical students, impacting health outcomes. Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on self-medication among this population is essential to guide interventions for responsible medication use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 undergraduate medical students at Government Medical College Suryapet to assess their KAP towards self-medication using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data. Results: Demographic: The sample comprised 150 males and 150 females. Age distribution: 35%, 42%, and 23% were aged 18-20, 21-23, and above 23. Year of study distribution: 31%, 36%, and 33% in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. Approximately 3% reported that they have chronic medical illnesses. Knowledge: Fifty four percent accurately defined self-medication. 62% acknowledged potential adverse effects in all medications. Furthermore, 57% stressed the importance of basic drug knowledge was essential for self-medication. While 65% correctly identified age-based self-medication limitations.41% suggested discontinuation if adverse effect appears. Attitude: Fifteen percent endorsed that all dosage ranges posed risks, and 20% strongly agreed that self-medication was unsafe across age groups. Further, 53% endorsed close symptom monitoring during self-medication, while 64% believed self-medication drugs could interact with other drugs and food. Additionally, 45% considered certain self-medication drugs unsafe during pregnancy. Practice: Twenty nine percent admitted consuming medication without reading package inserts, 17% shared prescriptions with symptomatic peers. Additionally, 38% self-medicated without medical knowledge, and 21% extended self-medication without medical oversight. Cost-saving motivated 25%, while 18% were uncertain about prescription necessity. Moreover, 12% reported adverse effects from self-medication. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the diverse KAP regarding self-medication among undergraduate medical students, with demographic-specific targeted educational interventions that can cultivate responsible self-medication practices, ensuring safe and effective medication use.
Files
IJTPR,Vol14,Issue11,Article10.pdf
Files
(388.5 kB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:1b9a70bb0a55c5be037cce176b826aea
|
388.5 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2024-10-26
Software
References
- 1. Alduraibi RK, Altowayan WM. A crosssectional survey: knowledge, attitudes, and practices of self-medication in medical and pharmacy students. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022; 22(1):352. 2. Susheela F, Goruntla N, Bhupalam PK, Veerabhadrappa KV, Sahithi B, Ishrar SM. Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward responsible self- medication among students of pharmacy colleges located in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Edu Health Promot 2018; 7:96. 3. Hansen EH, Holstein BE, Due P, Currie CE. International survey of self-reported medicine use among adolescents. Ann Pharmacotherapy 2003;37:361-6 4. Kumar R, Goyal A, Padhy BM, Gupta YK. Self-medication practice and factors influencing it among medical and paramedical students in India: A two-period comparative cross-sectional study. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2016; 7(2):143-148. 5. Gyawali S, Shankar PR, Poudel PP, Saha A. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Basic Science Undergraduate Medical Students in a Medical School in Western Nepal. J Clin Diagn Res 2015; 9:FC17-22. 6. Gupta S, Singh M. Self-medication among North Indian first-year undergraduate healthcare students: A questionnaire-based study. Trop J Med Res 2016; 19:162-7. 7. Siraj EA, Yayehrad AT, Kassaw AT, et al. Self-Medication Prevalence and Factors Associated with Knowledge and Attitude Towards Self-Medication Among Undergraduate Health Science Students at GAMBY Medical and Business College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2022; 16:3157-3172. 8. Mannasaheb BA, Al-Yamani MJ, Alajlan SA, et al. Knowledge, attitude, practices and viewpoints of undergraduate university students towards self-medication: an institution-based study in Riyadh. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(16):16. 9. Hsiao FY, Lee J-A, 8. Huang W-F, Chen S-M, Chen H-Y. Survey of medication knowledge and behaviours among college students in Taiwan. Am J Pharm Educ. 2006; 70(2):30. 10. 10.Patil SB, Vardhamane SH, Patil BV, Santosh Kumar J, Binjawadgi AS, Kanaki AR. Self-medication practice and perceptions among undergraduate medical students: a cross-sectional study. J Clin Diagnostic Res. 2014; 8(12):10–13. 11. Isameldin E, Saeed AA, Mousnad MA. Selfmedication Practice among patients living in Soba. Dspace Reposit.2020;4:1–5 12. 12.Kumari R, Kiran, Kumar D, Bahl R, Gupta R. Study of knowledge and practices of selfmedication among medical students at Jammu. J Med Sci 2012; 15:141-4. 13. Pandya RN, Jhaveri KS, Vyas FI, Patel VJ. Prevalence, pattern and perceptions of selfmedication in medical students. Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2:275-80. 14. Gaikwad NR, Patil AB, Khan TA. Comparative evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first and second year medical students. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ 2010;5:157-62 15. 15.Badiger S, Kundapur R, Jain A, Kumar A, Patanashetty S, Thakolkaran N, et al. Selfmedication patterns among medical students in South India. Australas Med J 2012;5:217-20 16. Sontakke SD, Bajait CS, Pimpalkhute SA, Jaiswal KM, Jaiswal SR. Comparative study of evaluation of self-medication practices in first and third year medical students. Int J Biol Med Res 2011; 2:561-4. 17. 17. James H, Handu SS, Al Khaja KA, Otoom S, Sequeria RP. Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication among firstyear medical students. Med Princ Pract 2006; 15:270-5.