Assessment of Self-Medication Practices among Undergraduate Students Before and During COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To assess self-medication knowledge, prevalence, reasons, and conditions among undergraduate medical students.
Material and Methods: A survey was conducted among 329 undergraduate healthcare students in tertiary care hospitals & IOD using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and categorical variables were analyzed with Chi-square and logistic regression tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Self-medication was prevalent among 202 (61.4%) participants: 54 (26.7%) before COVID-19, 16 (7.9%) during COVID-19, and 132 (65.3%) both periods. Knowledge levels varied: 179 (54.4%) with poor knowledge, 150 (45.6%) with good knowledge regarding self-medication. Painkillers 176 (87.1%) were commonly self-administered class of drug, with fever 166 (82.6%) being the most treated condition. Individuals often used their own prior prescriptions 125 (62.5%) as a source of information for self-medication. The predominant reason for self-medication was fear of contact with the infected person during the pandemic, along with fear of quarantine or isolation.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study reveals concerning self-medication practices among undergraduate healthcare students, particularly with painkillers for common ailments. Field of study, academic year, and personal background influenced self-medication tendencies, while highlighting knowledge gaps. The COVID- 19 pandemic exacerbated these behaviours, necessitating immediate attention. Healthcare education must adapt to equip future professionals with decision-making skills amid rising self-medication practices.