Title: Self-Medication Practice amongst Undergraduate Nursing Students in Government Nursing College Nanded, Maharashtra
Authors: Bhagunde LK, Tamboli SB, Chhabra RR, Dole B
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.53
Abstract
Background: Self-medication is defined as selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self recognized or self diagnosed conditions or symptoms. Though practiced throughout the world there are limited studies regarding the prevalence of self medication practices among nursing students.
Objective: To determine the pattern of self-medication practices among nursing college students.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted on the nursing students in a government nursing college attached to a tertiary care district hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra. A questionnaire consisting of both open and close ended questions related to various aspects of self-medication were handed out to the students. The students who willingly gave consent filled up the questionnaire anonymously.
Results: Of a total of 84 students, 4 were excluded due to incomplete entries, remaining 80 students were analysed. A total of 91.25% of nursing students practiced self medication. The most common indications for self medication were fever (91.8%), headache (65.8%) and pain abdomen(47.9%). The classes of drugs used commonly for self medication were antipyretics (72.6%), analgesics (67.1%) and antibiotics (37%). Similar past experiences (54.8%), mildness of infection (30.1%) and long waiting line in the OPD (11%), were the most common reasons for self medication. Source of drug information most commonly cited by the students was from textbooks (42.5%), old prescription (27.4%) and parents or other family members (24.7%).
Conclusion: Our study shows that self medication is a very common practice amongst nursing students. The government and the health authorities need to ensure that it is done in a responsible manner.
Keywords: Self-medication, nursing students, drugs.
References
1. Montastruc JL, Bagheri H, Geraud T, Lapeyre-Mestre M. Pharmacovigilance of self-medication. Therapie 1997;52:105-10.
2. The Role of the Pharmacist in Self-care and Self-medication. Available from http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/whozip32e/whozip32e.pdf (Last accessed 21st August, 2015).
3. Hussain A, Khanum A. Self medication among university students of Islamabad, Pakistan- a preliminary study. Southern Med Review 2008; 1(1):14-16.
4. Emmanuel A, Daniel G, Achema G, Afoi B, Onyejekwe g, Gimba S M. Self-medication practice among undergraduate nursing students of the university of Jos, Nigeria. Nig. Journ. Pharm. Sci 2011; 10(2): 22-26.
5. Alano GM, Galafassil LM, Galato D, Trauthman SC. Responsible self-medica-tion: review of the process of pharmace-utical attendance. BJPS2009; 45(4): 626-633.
6. Ferris DG, Nyirjesy P, Sobel JD, Soper D, Pavletic A, Litaker MS. Over the counter Antifungal Drug misuse associated With Patient Diagnosed Vulvovaginal Candid-iasis. Obstet Gynecol 2002; 99(3): 419-25.
7. Bauchner H, Wise P. Antibiotics without prescription: “bacterial or medical resistance” Lancet 2000; 355: 1480-84.
8. Gholap M C, Mohite V R. Assess the self-medication practices among staff nurses. Indian J.sci.Res 2013; 4(1): 81-84.
9. Hughes CM, McElnay JC, Fleming GF. Benefits and risks of self-medication. Drug Saf 2001; 24: 1027-1037.
10. Gaddam Damoder. Assessment of self-medication practices among medical, phar-macy students at a tertiary care hospital. Andhra Pradesh. The Indian journal of hospital pharmacy 2012; 49: 79-83.
11. Goel D, Gupta S. Self-medication patterns among nursing students in North India. IOSR J Dental Med Sci(IOSR-JDMS) 2013;11(4):14-17.
12. Sheethal M P, Shanthi M, Vishma B K. A cross-sectional study on self-medication among nursing students in Mandya. Int J Health Sci Res 2014; 4(12): 79-83.
13. Abay SM, Amelo W. Assessment of self-medication practices among medical, pharmacy, and health Science Students in Gondar University. Ethiopia. Journal of Young Pharmacists 2010; 2(3): 306-310.
14. Periera C M et al. Self-medication in health students from two Brazilian students. RSBO 2012; 9(4): 361-67.
15. James H, Handu SS, Al Khaja KAJ, Sequeira RP. Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first year medical students. Med Princ Pract2006; 15: 270-275.
16. Ehigiator O, Azodo CC, Ehizele AO, Ezeja EB, Ehigiator L, Madukwe IU. Self-medication practices among dental, midwifery and nursing students. Eur J Gen Dent 2013;2:54-7.