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- Title
Evaluation of Self-Medication Practice among UCSI University Students.
- Authors
Tan Puay Luan; MAlakhali, Khaled; Keshavarzi, Fazlollah; Omotayo Oladuntoye Fatokun
- Abstract
Self-medication is defined as the use of any medication for self-treatment without consulting a healthcare professional. Everyday people throughout the world act on their own for their health through the practice of self-care. Objectives: To determine which groups of drugs were most frequently used by students as self-medication and assess the practice and views of selfmedication among UCSI University's students. Methodology: Cross-sectional questionnairebased study. Major findings: 239 (65.1%) of the respondents practiced self-medication in the past one year, among which 101(42.3%) were males and 138 (57.7%) were females. Pharmacy (74.4%) was the main source of self-medication. The most common indication for selfmedication was fever (72.8%), followed by cough (67.6%), headache (67.0%), common cold (65.7%) and pain (30.5%). The most common drug classes for self-medication were antipyretics (59.7%) followed by cough syrups (59.1%), vitamins (55.3%), analgesics/antiinflammatory (45.8%) and cold preparations (36.0%). 279 (76.0%) of the respondents agreed that all medications including herbals have adverse effects. 354 (96.5%) was aware that increasing drug dose can be dangerous, however, only 153 (41.7%) aware that decreasing drug dose can be dangerous. Majority of the respondents agreed that "Concomitant use of drugs can be dangerous"; "Physician help must be sought in case of adverse effects" and "Using medications with unknown substances in patients with liver and kidney disease is dangerous". Discussion and Conclusion: The practice of self-medication was common among UCSI University students. It was indicated in mild disease condition such as fever, cough, headache and etc. Appropriate use of drugs as self-medication was beneficial to human beings. However, there are many factors that rendered self-medication as the main cause of drug misuse.
- Subjects
MEDICAL personnel; COLLEGE students; COMMON cold; PHYSICIANS; COUGH
- Publication
Current Trends in Biotechnology & Pharmacy, 2020, p147
- ISSN
0973-8916
- Publication type
Article