A Comparative Study on The Reasons for Use and Non-Use of Self-Medication Among Students of a Medical College in Western Uttar Pradesh
Keywords:
Self-medication, Medical students, Over the counter drugsAbstract
Background: Self-medication is selection and use of non-prescription medicines by individuals’ own initiatives to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. The objective of study was to assess the reason for use and non-use of self-medication among first and second year undergraduate students of a Medical College in western Uttar Pradesh.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out among undergraduate students of Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS-IMS), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. First and second year medical students were included in the study after explaining to them the nature and purpose of study.
Results: The study included 97 students in first year and 69 students in second year. Awareness of knowledge of treatment was the most common reason given for self-medication among both first year (45.0%) and second year (46.9%) students. The most common reason for not taking self-medication was risk of adverse effects among both first (45.4%) and second year (33.4%) students.
Conclusion: The study emphasises that there is a need to create awareness by educational material designed to bring about correct decision making in relation to the practice of self-medication.
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