A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON SELF–MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE PHARMACY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Dr. Kanamala. Arun Chand Roby; B. Mary Prasanna Kumari; Kuchipudi Harinadh Baba; Ch. Sri Pavan Kumar

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2017

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON SELF–MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE PHARMACY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Dr. Kanamala. Arun Chand Roby, B. Mary Prasanna Kumari, Kuchipudi Harinadh Baba, Ch. Sri Pavan Kumar

Abstract :

Abstract: The selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self–recognized illness or symptoms. Self–medication includes the use of non–prescription drugs and a range of different alternative medicines such as traditional products food supplements and herbal remedies

Material and Methods

This was a prospective observational study done among 270 pharmacy students. Of all the years of undergraduate pharmacy students. It’s a questionnaire based study and history of self–medication in last six was taken.

Study duration: January to June 2017

Study setting: The study was done in pharmacy colleges of Rajahmundry, AP, India.

Inclusion criteria: of sound mind, can communicate by one of the means viz. speaking or writing, inhabitant of study area, consuming any category of medication without prescription, being medication for family members without prescription.

Exclusion criteria: Inhabitant outside the study area, of insane mind, unable to communicate, faculty, drug consumers with valid prescription, pregnant students, chronic illness students.

Results & discussion: In this study we have taken 360 students out of which 270 pharmacy are willing to fill the questionnaire. Out of 270 students in which there are 162 males and 108 female students are carried out in our study, in this 243 students are single and 27 were married, and all are ethnicity of India only, this program me was conducted with 270 students and family history of employed were 162 and unemployed were 108. The most frequently requested category of drugs in this study were analgesics/antipyretics and other classes of drugs, there is not any argument against the use of analgesics and antipyretics on self–medication provided they are given with proper advice and not taken as treatment continuously as evidenced by other studies.

During an illness episode individuals commonly seek information and advice from a referral networks and this affects self diagnosis and treatment by providing reference points for perceptions of illness, by contributing knowledge by gained through experience and by shå of medications.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that self–medication is found to be a common practice among the pharmacy graduates. Commonly used drugs are pain relievers, cough remedies; cold, creams etc are highly used by the students. The highlights the importance of impressing the students about the danger of self–medication.

Nonetheless awareness should be constantly provided to the students for continuous safe self–medication.