Mehwish Arif, Hajra Ahmad, Hamza N Virk, Hira Amin, Hiba Tehrim, Khuzaima Ahmad, Kunza Sarwar, Maham Fatimah, Maria Nasir

Perception and practice of 4th year MBBS students on self- medication

Mehwish Arif, Hajra Ahmad, Hamza N Virk, Hira Amin, Hiba Tehrim, Khuzaima Ahmad, Kunza Sarwar, Maham Fatimah, Maria Nasir



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ABSTRACT

Background: Self-medication practice is widespread in many countries and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern. It assumes a special significance among medical students as they are exposed to knowledge about diseases and drugs. Medical students must be able to distinguish about their drugs outcomes on body.

Aim: To assess perception and practice of self-medication among undergraduate medical students.

Methods: A descriptive study was carried out among 4thyear MBBS students of Lahore Medical & Dental College in January 2019. Students of 4th year MBBS were asked to engage in the study after getting voluntary informed consent. A structured questionnaire was used. Data was entered, analyzed in SPSS 20.

Results: In this study respondents 39.1% were male and 60.9% female. It was found that 77(67%) students practiced self-medication. The principal morbidity for seeking self-medication was headache as reported by 96(83.5%) students. NSAIDS were most commonly self-medicated as reported by 67(58.3%) students. Only 31(27%) students advised others for self-medication.

Conclusion: Self-medication is widely practiced among under- graduate medical students. In this situation, we should educate the students about advantages and disadvantages of self-medication.

Keywords: Self-medication, medical students, perception, practice.



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