SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN GUJARAT

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication is defined as the use of medication for self-treatment without advice of physician either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment. Self medication increases the chances of illicit use of drug and drug dependency and most of all masking the sign and symptoms of underlying disease hence are complicating the problem, creating drug resistance and delaying diagnosis.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study done among total 100 3^rd semester engineering students in Vidhyanagar, Gujarat. It is a questionnaire based study and history of self-medication in last 6 months was taken.

Results: Prevalence of self-medication among study participants was 88% in last 6 months. Out of total 100 students, 88% were male and 12% were female. Out of total 330 self-medications by study participants in last 6 months, maximum (43.03%) was from pain-relievers. 21.51% of self-medication was from cough remedies. 7.27% of the self-medication was of Antimicrobials. Amoxicilin was most commonly used as self medication by the study participants among antimicrobials. Pharmacy store was the most common source for self-medication. Other common sources were family members, friends and medicines remain during prior illness.

Conclusions: It is concluded from this study that self medication is found to be a common practice among the engineering students. Commonly used drugs are pain relievers, cough remedies and topical creams. Self-medication of antimicrobials is also high among study participants. Common source of information for self medication are pharmacist, friends and relatives.