High prevalence of self-medication practices among medical and pharmacy students: a study from Jordan
Mohammad J. Alkhatatbeh, Qais Alefan, Mohammad A.Y. Alqudah
Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
DOI 10.5414/CP202451
Abstract
Objective: To assess self-medication practices and to evaluate the impact of obtaining medical knowledge on selfmedication among medical and pharmacy students at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A well-validated questionnaire that included 3 sections about self-medication was administered to the subjects after introducing the term “self-medication” verbally. Results: 1,317 students had participated in the study and were subgrouped according to their academic level into seniors and juniors. Compared to the general population rate of 42.5%, self-medication practice was reported by (1,034, 78.5%) of the students and most common amongst pharmacy students (n = 369, 82.9%) compared to Pharm.D. (n = 357, 77.9%) and medical students (n = 308, 74.4%) (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference between juniors and seniors (557, 79.1% vs. 477, 77.8%, p = 0.59, respectively). Headache (71.2%) and common cold (56.5%) were frequent ailments that provoked self-medication. Analgesics (79.9%) and antibiotics (59.8%) were frequently used to self-treat these aliments. Reasons for self-medication included previous disease experience (55.7%); minor aliments (55.3%); and having enough medical knowledge (32.1%). Medicines were used according to instructions obtained mainly from the leaflet (28.8%); pharmacist (20.7%); and university courses (19.7%). Senior students were more aware of the risk of self-medication than junior students. The majority of students frequently advise other people about self-medication (83.6%). Conclusions: Self-medication was common among students irrespective to their level of medical knowledge. Obtaining medical knowledge increased the students’ awareness of the risk of self-medication which may result in practicing responsible self-medication. However, medical teaching institutions need to educate students about the proper use of medicines as a therapeutic tool.
Author Details
Authors
Departments
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Address
Dr. Mohammad J. Alkhatatbeh
Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy
Jorda University of Science and Technology
Irbid, 22110, Jordan
Email:
[email protected]
Citation
Mohammad J. Alkhatatbeh, Qais Alefan, and Mohammad A.Y. Alqudah.High prevalence of self-medication practices among medical and pharmacy students: a study from Jordan. 2016; 54: 390-398. doi: 10.5414/CP202451.
