KUMJ | VOL. 15 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 57 | JAN.-MARCH, 2017
Pattern of Self-medication in Undergraduate Students at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences
Sarraf DP, Karna G, Dhungana P, Lammichhane S, Rauniar GP
Abstract: Background
Self-medication is a growing health problem. It may lead to wastage of resources,
emergence of antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug reactions and prolonged
suffering. Little has been reported on the extent of self-medication practiced in
medical students in Nepal.
Objective
To study the pattern, reason and perception of self-medication among undergraduate
students.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted among all undergraduate students at BP
Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal between April and May, 2015.
After obtaining ethical clearance, pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect
data. The date were analyzed and presented as frequency and percentage using SPSS
version 11.5.
Result
Total of 520 students participated in the study with a mean age of 21.2±1.7 years.
Prevalence of self-medication was found to be 48.3%. Most common cause for
self-medication was common cold (53.3%). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(78.9%) were the most commonly used medicine for self-medication. The students
commonly approached their seniors (50.2%) for the drug information. The most
common adverse drug reaction experienced by the students was drowsiness (50.9%).
Approximately one third of the students (33.2%) used to prescribe medicines to
others. More than half of the students (53.8%) opined that self-medication is a part
of self-care. Around one-fifth of the students (21.5%) students opined that selfmedication
is recommended
by
WHO.
Conclusion
Self-medication is commonly practiced by undergraduate students. Nearly one third
of the students also prescribe medicines to others. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs are the most commonly used medicine as self-medication. The students need
to be educated regarding appropriate safe-medication.
Keyword : Antibiotics, medical students, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, self-medication
