Publication:

Practice of self-medication among 2nd year medical and dental students

Background Self-medication is the use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized symptoms and illness. It assumes a special significance among medical students as they are the future medical practitioners. Main purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of self-medication among 2nd year medical and dental students and to evaluate the factors associated with self-medication.

Methods This was a cross-sectional study of self-developed, pretested questionnaire related to various aspects of self-medication. Study population which consists of 2nd year medical and dental students. Data was analyzed using MS-Excel and the results were expressed as frequency and percentages.

Results A total of 180 students were assessed regarding their practice about self-medication, of which 37.7 % (n=68) were males and 73.3 % (n=132) were females. The mean age of the respondents was 19-21years. Among the participants particing self-medication, majority (n=89, 49 %) followed allopathic system of medicine, followed by Homeopathic (n=39,22%) and ayurvedic system of medicine (n= 51, 28 %).

Conclusions Out of 180 respondents, the prevalence of self-medication among the study participants was 43.3% (n=78). Self-medication was proportionately more practiced by dental students. The preference pattern for self-medication was allopathy (49%), ayurveda (28%), and homeopathy (23%). 67% of the students were of the opinion that there was no need to consult the physician for simple ailments. Knowledge about appropriate self-medication was adequate, attitude towards self-medication was positive and the practice of self-medication was common and often inappropriate.