Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Viewpoints of Undergraduate University Students towards Self-Medication : An Institution-Based Study in Riyadh

Rational and responsible self-medication (SM) is not only the key to better health outcomes, but also key to limiting adverse drug events. This institution-based cross-sectional study utilized seven- and four-item scales to assess the knowledge and attitude towards SM. Similarly, SM practices were measured using eight scale questions consisting of SM practice during the last six months, type of drug consumed, reason and frequency of SM, and so on. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Overall, 371 students completed the questionnaire. The students with a good level of knowledge and positive attitude towards SM were 60.64% and 66.8%, respectively. About 55.5% of students practiced SM during the last six months using antipyretics (37.7%), multivitamins (36.4%), sleeping aids (20.2%), and anti-histamines (18.6%). Headache (79.2%), fever (37.7%), pain (25.9%), and colds and coughs (25.3%) were the illnesses for which they sought SM. The students admitted that drug side effects (75%), drug resistance (33.7%), drug interaction (41.5%), and poor treatment outcome (28.3%) were the consequences of irrational SM practice. Students (87.6%) propose that extending SM awareness through the Ministry of Health (83%) and pharmaceutical companies (48%) as major platforms would improvise the rational practice. Since AlMaarefa University students will be future healthcare professionals, their perception must be considered and accordingly educated to practice rational SM.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:18

Enthalten in:

International journal of environmental research and public health - 18(2021), 16 vom: 12. Aug.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Mannasaheb, Basheerahmed Abdulaziz [VerfasserIn]
Al-Yamani, Mohammed Jaber [VerfasserIn]
Alajlan, Sarah Abdulrahman [VerfasserIn]
Alqahtani, Lamyaa Munahi [VerfasserIn]
Alsuhimi, Shrouq Eid [VerfasserIn]
Almuzaini, Razan Ibrahim [VerfasserIn]
Albaqawi, Abeer Fahad [VerfasserIn]
Alshareef, Zahaa Majed [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

AlMaarefa University
BMI
GPA
Journal Article
Over-the-counter drugs
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Self-medication
Students

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 02.09.2021

Date Revised 03.04.2024

published: Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.3390/ijerph18168545

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM329872028