Abstract

Dr. Rajat Mishra*, Syed Meraj Fatmi and Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to find out various aspects of self-medication (SM) among medical students. A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out among 285 medical students of 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. Data were collected and analyzed for counts and percentage. Students reported self-medication in the last one year were 76 % and the frequency of SM was more in final year students.35% believed that they practice SM as the complains were mild in form, followed by quick relief of symptoms and time saving. Abdominal pain along with headache and fever were the most frequent causes for SM in our study. While commonly used drugs were analgesics and antipyretic along with antacids and antibiotics. Most common source for acquiring these medicines were pharmacist shops followed by unused medicines from previous prescription and unsold physician sample. However 83% believed that for practicing SM some medical knowledge is must.71% also believed that SM is not bad all the time and must be encouraged in selected cases. Effective and safe SM practice in some cases can be done by active participation of hospitals and clinics along with pharmacist in educating the people.17% believed that SM must never be practiced and strict rules must be made for pharmacists who indulge in false malpractice.