Self-medication among medical and pharmacy students in Bangladesh

Abstract

BackgroundThis cross-sectional survey examined the pattern of self-medication and factors associated with this practice among medical and pharmacy students in context to Bangladesh.MethodsThe study used a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 500; 250 medical and 250 pharmacy, students participated in the study. As it is a comparative analysis between the medical and pharmacy students, we used independent t test and Chi square test.ResultsThe findings indicated that the impact of self-medication is almost similar in medical and pharmacy students. It was found that medical students were more careful about getting advice from a physician or seeking professional help from some healthcare personnel. About the safety of self-medication pharmacy students were more aware than medical students were. The study also showed that female and younger medical or pharmacy students were more aware about self-medication.ConclusionsThe current study presents a comprehensive picture of self-medication in medical and pharmacy students in Bangladesh. It is clear from the findings that practice of self-medication is highly prevalent in medical and pharmacy students in the country. This may potentially increase misuse or irrational use of medicines.

Self-medication practices among university students from Karachi, Pakistan

“…1 SM is reported worldwide especially in developing countries where people treat most episodes of illness by self-medication. [2][3][4] Among European countries reported SM prevalence is 21% in Lithuania, 19.8% in Romania, 15.2% in Spain, 21% in Portugal, and 31% in Czech Republic. [5][6][7] In developing countries much higher prevalence rates are reported, 79% in India, 84% in Pakistan, 78% in Saudi Arabia, 67% in Nigeria.…”

Untitled

“…In this study, the prevalence of self-medication among medical students was 81.4%. A Bangladeshi study [13] among medical and pharmacy students found all participating medical students practice self-medication. A recent study among university students in Bangladesh found 87.5% honors students self-medicated.…”

“…Main source of obtaining medications is from pharmacy (73.5%) which is accordance with a study (65.2%). [13] This is due to easy access of all medications, without prescriptions from the pharmacies and absence of strict monitoring of regulatory policies about prescriptions and over the counter sale of medicines.…”

“…[12] Another study among medical and pharmacy students found 87% of them self-medicated. [13] Medical conditions are effectively treated, only if patients adhere to their therapeutic regimen, including those who self-medicate. Hence, self-medication practice poses a positive impact provided that adequate patient adherence exists.…”

Patterns and practice of self-medication among children presenting with acute respiratory tract infection or diarrhoea

“…Many studies have shown that there is high prevalence of self-medication in these areas. [2][3][4] Not only the adults do take the medicines on their own there is evidence that there is increasing incidence of self-medication to their children also. 5 However there is paucity of published data about the prevalence, causes of administration, and place of procurement of medicines for self-medication by parents to children in this region.…”