Self-Medication Practices among First and Second Year Medical Undergraduates

Objective: The objectives of our study were to estimate prevalence of self medication, to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of self medication and to compare the risk factors of self medication practices amongst first and second year medical undergraduates, of a Government Medical College in Kerala, India. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students after obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and informed consent. A pre-validated questionnaires was used to collect data. Descriptive and analaytical statistics were performed and variables associated with self-medication were entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis to compute adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: The response rate was 59.47% (233/375).  More than three quarters of the participants responded correctly to the query on “what an over-the-counter drug is”. As compared to 46.8% of first years, 67.6% of second years had practiced self-medication in the past 6 months. The most common medical condition/symptom for consuming self-medication was for managing common cold and paracetamol was the most common medication. Risk of developing adverse drug reaction was considered as a serious threat after self-medication by around three quarters of the participants. There was a significant association of self-medication practice among the second years as compared to first years(p=0.009,OR-1.64(95% CI 1.16-2.31). Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication was high among medical students and there was a greater risk  of self-medication among the second years (1.64 times) as compared to the first year students. Study showed that the students had poor knowledge of adequate self-medication , positive attitude towards self-medication and common but inadequate  practice. Knowledge of medicines obtained for similar previous illness and the feeling that there is no need to consult doctor for minor ailments were the main reasons for self medication