Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and patterns of self-medications among MBBS students.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done among the MBBS Students.
Informed consent from every student had been filled up before starting of the study. Seriously
ill, chronically absent and not willing subjects were excluded from the study. The
questionnaire had two parts, the first one was prepared to record the demographic profile and
the second part was to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of self-medication
among the students. The MBBS students were contacted with the digital questionnaire
through different methods.
Results: Out of 220 students included in this study, 200 students were under self- medication.
Amongst these 200 participants, 62.5% were males and restwas females. Most of the students
taking self-medicated were between the ages of 19 to 25 years. 50% students usedtheir
previous experiencesfor self-medication followed by 30.5% with minor diseases, 25.5% with
saving of timewhile 20.5% used self medication seeking for immediate relief and17% as an
easy way. 40% used old prescription of doctors, 38% used textbooks as the most prevalent
sources of information about the drugs used for self-medication. The most prevalent drugs for
self-medication practice wereanalgesics (42%) followed by anti-ulcerants (35%), antipyretics
(27.5%), and antibiotics (20.5%).
Conclusion: We concluded that there was high prevalence of self-medication amongst the
MBBS Students, so government should implement some strict rules and regulations.