Assessment of Self–Medication Practices Among Undergraduate Medical Students at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Karnataka

Dr Roopadevi H S; Dr Shashi Kumar N S; Dr Pankaja R; Dr Ramesh K N

Volume : IV, Issue : VIII, August - 2015

Assessment of Self–Medication Practices Among Undergraduate Medical Students at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Karnataka

Dr Roopadevi H S, Dr Shashi Kumar N S, Dr Pankaja R, Dr Ramesh K N

Abstract :

Objective: To study the prevalence and pattern on usage of self–medication among undergraduate medical students in a Medical college teaching hospital. Materials and methods: Cross sectional, descriptive, questionnaire–based study carried out among under graduate medical students in a medical college teaching hospital, Mandya, Karnataka. A total of 356 students participated in the study. They were asked to fill–up the structured questionnaire with a recall of 3 month period related to self medication. Results: Out of total 356 students, 159 (44.6%) reported self medication during last 3 months. 52.2% among them were females and 47.7% were males. The frequently reported illness that prompted self medication included fever (42.7%), common cold (37.1%), headache (14.4%) and body pain (6.9%). Most commonly self medicated drug groups were NSAIDs (67.2%), antihistaminics (40.2%), antibiotics (13.2%) and antacids (6.9%). The reasons for favouring self–medication were milder illness (72.3%), time saving (22.6%) and quick relief (17.6%). Prior knowledge of dose, duration of therapy, side effects and interactions was there among 74.8%, 64.1%, 63.5% and 37.1% students respectively. 4.4% of self medicated students experienced adverse effects. Conclusions: Medical students are practising self medication disregarding the adverse effects/interactions of the drugs. They are to be educated on the type of illness to self diagnose and medicate and also regarding dangers of self medication