Nastaran Niroomand 1 , Mohsen Bayati 2 , Mozhgan Seif 3 , Somayeh Delavari 4 , Sajad Delavari 5 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-medication could be a risky behavior and have negative effects. While Over the Counter (OTC) drugs is available at drugstores, the behavior is highly prevalent among general population. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed at surveying self-medication pattern among medical sciences students of Shiraz, Iran. METHODS: A sample of 396 students at different fields of medical, paramedical, and health sciences were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill a questionnaire about their demographic and socioeconomic status, medication behavior and self-medication in last six months, information about correct use of medication, and information about negative results of self-medication. Data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test and logistic regression model via R statistical software. RESULTS: Almost 72% of participants reported self-medication in past sixth months. The main reasons are trust in their own diagnosis (59.9%), mildness of the disease (56.6%), and having previous experience about the disease (56%). cough or cold (84.5%), headache (66.3%), and body pain (60.2%) were the most frequent diseases that will resulted in self-medication behavior. Most participants decide about their medicine on their own (77.7%). As well self-medication behavior was highly related with having medicine stock at home (OR=2.692), having less information about negative results of self-medication (OR=0.835), and more non-syllabus study time (OR=1.041). CONCLUSIONS: Although medical sciences students have information about treatment of illnesses but they should be more informed about negative results and side-effects of self-medication. They should also transfer their knowledge to the society to decrease self-medication behavior. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
BACKGROUND: Self-medication could be a risky behavior and have negative effects. While Over the Counter (OTC) drugs is available at drugstores, the behavior is highly prevalent among general population. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed at surveying self-medication pattern among medical sciences students of Shiraz, Iran. METHODS: A sample of 396 students at different fields of medical, paramedical, and health sciences were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill a questionnaire about their demographic and socioeconomic status, medication behavior and self-medication in last six months, information about correct use of medication, and information about negative results of self-medication. Data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test and logistic regression model via R statistical software. RESULTS: Almost 72% of participants reported self-medication in past sixth months. The main reasons are trust in their own diagnosis (59.9%), mildness of the disease (56.6%), and having previous experience about the disease (56%). cough or cold (84.5%), headache (66.3%), and body pain (60.2%) were the most frequent diseases that will resulted in self-medication behavior. Most participants decide about their medicine on their own (77.7%). As well self-medication behavior was highly related with having medicine stock at home (OR=2.692), having less information about negative results of self-medication (OR=0.835), and more non-syllabus study time (OR=1.041). CONCLUSIONS: Although medical sciences students have information about treatment of illnesses but they should be more informed about negative results and side-effects of self-medication. They should also transfer their knowledge to the society to decrease self-medication behavior. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
Entities: Disease
Species
Keywords:
Iran; Medical Students; Nonprescription Drugs; Self-Medication
Year: 2019
PMID： 31642791 DOI： 10.2174/1574886314666191022095058
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Curr Drug Saf ISSN： 1574-8863