Self-medication among Alexandria University students and effect of an educational intervention on their self-medication knowledge, attitudes and practices

Abstract

Background: Self-medication (SM) among university students is a growing prevalent public health concern worldwide. It is highly prevalent in developing countries. SM leads to serious consequences such as drug misuse/abuse and adverse drug reactions. The study aims to determine the prevalence of SM among university students in Alexandria, Egypt and to assess the effect of an educational intervention on their SM knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices (KAP).Methods: The study was conducted among 400 students using a cross sectional approach followed by one group pre/post-test intervention approach. Data were collected using an interviewing questionnaire. A health education program was designed and implemented among students then KAP were reassessed using the same questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of SM was estimated to be 79.5% among Alexandria University students. About one quarter (24.5%) of students had poor level of knowledge about SM and 47.5% had positive attitude towards SM. Logistic regression analysis revealed that father's occupation as clerical, family member working as healthcare professional, medication sharing practice, and total SM knowledge score were the significant independent factors that affected SM. There were significant differences between pre and post intervention KAP scores.Conclusions: The prevalence of SM is high among university students. There is a significant effect of the intervention program on KAP about SM.

Self-medication Survey among Pharmacy Students in Iraq

“…The prevalence of SM was estimated to be 79.5% among students of Alexandria University, Egypt, and 62.9% in students from the University of Mansoura, Egypt. [ 3 14 23 ] A recently study conducted in a medical university of Islamabad Pakistan reported an SM prevalence of 77%. [ 27 ].…”

“…[ 24 25 ] Nevertheless, long waiting time at physician's clinics was also one of the minor factors (3.7%) for practicing SM in this study as well as many others. [ 3 14 23 27 ] As opposed to this, 59% of students from one African university cited this as a reason for SM. [ 28 ] Surprisingly, only 4.8% ( n = 9) had taken multivitamins in their SM practices in spite of the fact that 1.6% had reported paleness, and 0.5% had experienced a loss of weight.…”

“…Available medicines at home (23.9%) usually, leftover medicines were also an important source of medicines for SM in this study, as reported in other studies. [ 3 14 28 ] SM that involves the use of antibiotics is a serious health concern, as it increases the risk of antibiotics resistance. [ 29 ] Fortunately, in this study, only 11.6% of the respondents reported the use of antibiotics.…”

“…[ 1 2 ] It largely includes the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications; however, it may also involve prescription-only medicines (POM), which might have been generally procured by reutilizing/submitting a previous prescription or consuming leftover medicines already available at home. [ 3 4 ] Moreover, SM is not confined to drug intake but includes interventions aimed at changing lifestyle as well. [ 5 ]…”