Abstract
Introduction: Self-medication is a widely prevalent practice in India. It assumes a special significance among medical students as they are the future medical practitioners.
Aim:
To assess the pattern of self-medication practice among 2nd MBBS undergraduate medical students.
Settings and Design:
GMERS medical college, sola, Ahmadabad, India. Materials and Methods:
A questionnaire-based study was conducted among the 2nd M.B.B.S medical students.
Results:
Out of 103 students of the 2nd M.B.B.S, all consented for the study and filled in the supplied questionnaire. 3 incomplete questionnaires were excluded and the remaining 100 analysed. It was found that 32% (32) respondents practiced self-medication. The principal morbidities for seeking self-medication included fever as reported by 53% (17) students followed by cough and common cold 50%(16) students, headache 37.5% (12) students, and pain abdomen due to heartburn/ peptic ulcer 21.88% (7) students. Drugs/ drug groups commonly used for selfmedication included analgesics, antipyretics 71.88% (23), antihistamines 31.25%(10), antibiotics 28.13%(9), followed by antiulcer agents 9.38 % ( 3), cough suppressant 6.25%(2), and multivitamins 6.25%(2) and herbal preparation 18.75%(6). Among reasons for seeking selfmedication 15.63% students felt that they were having confidence in self-medication while 25%(8) preferred as it is time-saving. About 78.13% (25) students cited non seriousness of illness as the primary reason while 12.5% (4) preferred to get quick relief.
Conclusion:
Present study shows that self-medication is fairly prevalent among students of the 2nd M.B.B.S. In this situation, faculties should create awareness and educate their students regarding advantages and disadvantages of self-medication.