Abstract

PREVALENCE OF SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG MEDICAL & ALLIED HEALTH STUDENTS IN MALAPPURAM

Aravind R.S, Abin Chandrakumar* and Saleem K.T

Abstract

Self-medication is defined as medication of oneself especially without the advice of a physician. The objective of the study is to evaluate the self-medication practices among medical, pharmacy, nursing, paramedical students in Malappuram district. For the study, students were asked for their one-year illness recall and answer to the questionnaire. A questionnaire consisting of demographic profile, illness and treatment strategies was prepared were investigated and analysed. Of a total of 330 students, 313, (94.85%) reported that they have practiced self-medication. Most of the self-medication practices were obtained from the pharmacy field and the most commonly used drugs were nasal-decongestants, vitamins, analgesics and antibiotics Headache and nasal congestion (93.94% each) were cited to be the most common ailment for which self-medication was practiced closely followed fever (92.73%). About 310 (94%) students prefer self-medication to them and their family members. Knowledge from health magazines, internet, and books were major sources of selfmedication. About 45% were using other system of medicine like Ayurveda as selfmedication. Reason behind self-medication is ease of availability and fast onset of action. Drug regulatory authorities and health care professionals have to educate medical students about their side effect and adverse drug reaction.

Keywords: Self-medication; Students; Kerala; Risk Identification.