Comparison of trends of self-medication among medical and non-medical students in twin cities of Pakistan

Farwa Shabbir; Mubashira Kiran; Syeda Aimen Waris; Munazzah Kaleem; Ramish Riaz; Sonia Kiran

Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication among medical and non-medical students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 500 students; 250 medical students of Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi and 250 non-medical students of multiple Universities of Islamabad. Data were collected via questionnaire (self-structured) during May to July 2018. MBBS, pharmacy and allied sciences students were considered under medical student’s category. Convenient sampling method was used. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.
Results: Mean age of the students were 21.31±2.48 years with male to female ratio of 0.3:1. Out of 500 students, 346 (69.2%) used self -medication. Among these, 191 (55.2%) were medical students and 155 (44.79%) were non-medical students. Significant association (Odds ratio=1.9841, p=0.0005) was found for self-medication among medical students and non-medical students. Trend of self-medication was more towards allopathic medicine then alternative medicine. The major reason for using self-medications was previous similar experience, followed by its reason being time saving and for quick relief of their symptoms.
Conclusion: Trend of taking self-medication is more common in medical students compared to non-medical. There is a need to educate the students about adverse effects of self-medication to limit their use. These drugs should not be available over the counter and the health care services should be easily accessible to people.

Key words: Self-medication, medical, non-medical students, allopathic medicine, adverse effects.

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