Self-medication practices and risk factors for self-medication among medical students in Belgrade, Serbia.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Lukovic JA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4263675 | biostudies-other | 2014
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:Background:Inappropriate self-medication is a public-health problem worldwide. Major problems associated with self-medication include wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens, and adverse drug reactions. Objective:The aim of this study was to assess self-medication practices and associated factors among undergraduate Wollo University students in Northeast Ethiopia. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 341 undergraduate university students using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire from January to February 2019. Simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using the self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Multiple logistic regression was employed in data analysis, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:The prevalence of self-medication in this study was 64.98%. Mildness of disease (57, 34.13%) and dissatisfaction with health-care services, (44, 26.34%) were the main reasons for self-medication practice. The most common types of diseases for self-medication were headache (80, 47.9%), gastrointestinal infections (74, 44.31%), and respiratory tract infections (48, 28.74%). Analgesics (94, 56.28%) and antibiotics (60, 35.9%) were the leading classes of medicine used in self-medication. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that agriculture students (AOR 0.163, 95% CI 0.049-0.545) were 84% less likely to practice self-medication than medicine and health-science students. Conclusion:This study revealed that self-medication practices are common among study participants and significantly associated with their field of study. Awareness promotion on the risk of inappropriate self-medication for university students is highly recommended.
| S-EPMC7457820 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo determine the risk perceptions of a series of medical practices in non-expert (undergraduates) and expert (nurses) samples.MethodsFour hundred and forty-seven nurses and 246 undergraduate students participated in this study. They all answered questionnaires about the risk dimensions and acceptance for medical practices.ResultsAn exploratory factor analysis on participants' answers to various dimensions of risk yielded a two-factor structure for risk perception in both samples: for nurses, the factors were "Unknown" and "Dread," while for students, they were "Dread" and "Lack of Independence." For both nurses and students, the factor scores of Dread negatively related to individual risk acceptance of medical practices. Furthermore, nurses tended to be more accepting of practices that they knew well (i.e., low Unknown scale scores). For students, the subscale scores of the Lack of Independence factor negatively related to individual risk acceptance only for health examination practices. Nurses conceived risks more correctly and concretely compared to students. This was especially pronounced for practices related to medication use.ConclusionsAlthough both nurses and students conceived various risk contents from medical practices, their conceptions still differed. Knowledge of these differences in the structure of risk perception and conceived risk contents of various medical practices between nurses and students could be utilized to improve risk communication in clinical practice.
| S-EPMC6626126 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAlthough burnout syndrome has been described in numerous research studies, the data on burnout syndrome among medical students in developing countries is scanty. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk for burnout syndrome and its associated factors among university undergraduate medical students in Serbia.MethodsAn observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and a survey on associated factors. The research was carried out from February to March 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (Odds Ratio, OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) in order to identify independent correlates of high risk of burnout syndrome.ResultsA high risk for burnout syndrome was noted in 15.0% of respondents; that is, 114/760 medical students suffered from high emotional exhaustion, high cynicism, and low academic efficiency. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression, the main significant independent correlates of high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students were: age of students (for aged 22-24: adjusted OR = 5.64, 95%CI = 2.58-12.34, p < 0.001 for aged ≥ 25: adjusted OR = 5.65, 95%CI = 2.08-15.39, p = 0.001) with p for trend < 0.001, higher frequency of alcohol consumption (for habit 1-2 times a week: adjusted OR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.01-4.03, p = 0.048) with p for trend = 0.025, and use of sedatives (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95%CI = 1.31-9.04; p = 0.012).ConclusionThe present study identified several factors associated with burnout syndrome in Serbian medical students. Some factors associated with the high risk of burnout syndrome in medical students are modifiable. It is important to carry out similar research on burnout syndrome in the future, especially using longitudinal studies, in order to evaluate the associations found in this cross-sectional study.
| S-EPMC11363640 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The objective of the present study was to assess the perceptions, knowledge, and awareness of self-medication practice among the university students in Nepal. This descriptive cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on randomly selected 620 students from three different universities in Nepal. The study results revealed that 95.4% of students had reported self-medication, among which analgesics and antipyretic medications were mostly used (66 %); followed by anti-ulcerants (35.3%), antibiotics (33.9%), anti-allergic preparations (20%), and other categories (10.3%) of drugs. Study results also showed that, the major cause of self-medication was minor illness, and the prescriptions which were previously used to treat the similar disease conditions were the main source of motivation to do so. A significant portion of the respondents believed that self-medication might be acceptable to treat minor illness. Furthermore, students demonstrated variable responses regarding the doses, safety, toxicities, and health hazards towards self-medication without having appropriate knowledge of drugs. The findings of this study revealed the necessity of building awareness and strict implementation of the jurisdiction to minimize the practice of self-medication.
| S-EPMC7815801 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Self-medication is an important issue for health authorities around the world. It is also a common practice among university students. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and reasons for self-medication among university students. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional community based survey design was adopted for the current study. All the students enrolled in Hail University, Saudi Arabia were selected to include in the study. Data was collected from February to April 2020 using a validated questionnaire and were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 22.0. Using convenient sampling technique, the total sample size calculated was 370 participants. A descriptive analysis was performed. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression was used for analyzing the data where statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 373 participants completed the questionnaire. The response rate was 84%. The overall prevalence of self-medication among the students was 98.2%. Of the 373 participants, 40.8% were men, and 59.2% were women. Furthermore, 56% were in fields other than health sciences, 23.1% were in preparatory foundation courses, and 20.9% were from the health and medical sciences. The most frequent medical condition that led to self-medication was headaches (92.85%), followed by coughs (37.5%), colic (31.9%) and influenza (30.3%). On univariate analysis, it is revealed that for both abdominal colic [OR 0.54 (0.34-0.86), p = 0.01] and constipation [OR 0.57 (0.32-1.02), p 0.05], female gender was observed significantly with low prevalence than male. However, for influenza, the self-medication prevalence [OR 1.86 (1.19-2.91), p = 0.006] observed was significantly higher in female participants than male. A significant association (p = 0.011) between the self-medication factors and gender was shown in the current study results. Conclusion: An alarming prevalence of self-medication among the students was recorded. Health care providers can increase awareness of the issue by educating individuals about the harmful effects of irresponsible self-medication.
| S-EPMC8718403 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of self -medication with antibiotics is quite high in developing countries as opposed to developed countries. Antibiotics are often taken erroneously for certain ailments, without having the appropriate knowledge of their use. This carries potential risks for the individual as well as the community, in form of several side effects such as antibiotic resistance. Therefore the prevalence of self-medicated antibiotics in developing countries needs to be studied.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at six different non-medical universities of Karachi. 431 students were included in the study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 19.Results50.1% students reported having self-medicated themselves in the past 6 months and 205 (47.6%) reported self-medication with antibiotics. Amoxicillin was the most self-prescribed antibiotic (41.4%). Awareness of the adverse effects of antibiotics was demonstrated by 77.3% of the students and sleep disturbance was the most commonly known (46.5%) side effect. 63.1% denied having any knowledge about antibiotic resistance and only 19.9% correctly knew that indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to increased antibiotic resistance.ConclusionThe prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the non-medical university students was high despite the awareness of adverse effects. Antibiotic resistance was a relatively unknown terminology.
| S-EPMC4320599 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background:Self-medication refers to the use of medicines to treat self-diagnosed diseases without consulting any healthcare professionals. Irrational drug use and self-medication have serious negative consequences both on health and economy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the habits related to rational use of drugs (RUD) and to estimate the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on university students in Kahramanmara?. From May 2017 to June 2017 a total of 960 students filled a "Rational Use of Drugs Questionnaire". Results:The prevalence of practicing self-medication in students was 63.4%. The most common medicines that the students had consumed without prescription were analgesics by 39.5%, antibiotics by 36.9% and cold remedies by 24.0%. The rate of students who declared that they were familiar with RUD and "rational use of antibiotics" (RUA) was 45.9%. Reading/checking the instructions in the prospectus (OR = 1.529, 95% CI [1.176-1.990]), understanding the context of the prospectus (OR = 1.893, 95% CI [1.387-2.584]), compliance with the duration of antibiotic treatment (OR = 1.597, 95% CI [1.231-2.071]) and consulting a physician in case of a side effect (OR = 1.350, 95% CI [1.037-1.757]) were significantly higher among students who were familiar with RUD as compared to who were not. Discussion:Since the awareness of RUD among university students was found to be inadequate, it has critical importance to hold educational activities with the cooperation of physicians, health organizations, universities, non-governmental organizations and media to avoid negative consequences of irrational drug use and self-medication.
| S-EPMC5671114 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background Self-medication is a worldwide issue that requires special attention due to the potentially harmful effects it can have not only on pregnant women but also on the fetus. Objectives This study assessed the magnitude of self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women following antenatal care (ANC) in primary healthcare settings in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 395 pregnant mothers who attended ANC follow-up in selected health centers in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia from April 20 to May 20, 2021. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to enroll participants. A face-to-face structured interview was conducted to collect the data. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with self-medication practice. A p value < 0.05 at the 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant. Results Out of a total of 444 participants approached, 395 (89%) participated in the study. Of these, 44.6% reported practicing self-medication during the current pregnancy. Age < 35 (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.02–9.15; p = 0.032), rural residence (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI 1.43–10.19; p = 0.017), and previous medication use (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI 1.24–12.93; p = 0.015) were found to have a significant association with self-medication practice. Conclusion Self-medication was highly prevalent among pregnant women in the study setting and result indicates need for critical action. Younger rural women with a history of self-medication use should be provided counselling to find a prescription medication, and measures are needed to minimize self-medication related harm in pregnant women. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40545-023-00584-7.
| S-EPMC10278325 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionHealth literacy and its associated communication practices are critical to patient-centered care and have been endorsed by various associations as important for health professional training. Unfortunately, there is little published literature on how to teach health literacy to medical students and health professionals.MethodsWe developed a two-part curriculum during a required module for medical students including an introductory session in their first year and a skill-building workshop in their second year. In the workshop, students studied, observed, and practiced three health literacy communication techniques: teach-back, avoiding jargon, and effective questioning.ResultsThe workshop was implemented with approximately 100 second-year medical students as part of a course in their required curriculum. Results of a Wilcoxon rank sum test of pre/post survey responses showed a statistically significant move towards conviction of importance and confidence in ability to use three health literacy techniques.DiscussionA skills-based workshop on health literacy skills can improve medical students' conviction and confidence in using health literacy communication practices.
| S-EPMC7842086 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) has been reported among university students in many countries, but little research has been done on this issue in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and behaviors of university students and risk factors concerning SMA. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using a novel questionnaire-based data collection instrument, an anonymous online survey was conducted with the students of Shantou University (STU), a university comprising 8 schools/colleges in eastern Guangdong, China. Of 1,300 respondents (13.8% of total eligible participants), 47.8% had self-treated with antibiotics. Logistic regression analysis identified prior knowledge of antibiotics (PKA), older age, and higher monthly allowance as independent risk factors for SMA. PKA significantly influenced students' knowledge about antibiotics, their uses, and common adverse reactions (all p<0.05). Among self-medicated students, 61.7% used antibiotics at least twice in the previous year. Community pharmacies were the major source of self-prescribed antibiotics. Reported common indications for SMA were sore throat (59.7%), fever (38.2%), cough (37.4%), runny nose (29.3%), and nasal congestion (28.7%). While 74.1% of self-medication episodes were based on students' own experiences, only 31.1% of students claimed to understand the package insert. Alteration of antibiotics and dosage during the course of self-treatment was made by 63.8% and 55.6% of students, respectively. At least two kinds of antibiotics were simultaneously taken by 82.6% of students. The majority of self-medicated students failed to complete the course of antibiotics. Adverse reactions were reported by 16.3% of students. Amoxicillin was the most common antibiotic used for self-medication. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of SMA was noted among STU students. Presence of risk factors and risk-associated behaviors/attitudes in the study population calls for focused educational intervention and stricter governmental legislation and regulation of antibiotic use and sale in pharmacies.
| S-EPMC3401104 | biostudies-literature