Title:Self-medication Pattern and Prevalence Among Iranian Medical Sciences Students
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Nastaran Niroomand, Mohsen Bayati, Mozhgan Seif, Somayeh Delavari and Sajad Delavari*
Affiliation:Student Research Committee, School of Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz
Keywords:Self-medication, medical students, nonprescription drugs, healthcare-seeking behavior, over the counter, paramedical.
Abstract:
Background: Self-medication could be risky behavior and has negative effects. While
Over the Counter (OTC) drugs are available at drugstores, the behavior has become prevalent
among the general population.
Objective: This study aimed at surveying self-medication behavior among medical sciences students
of Shiraz, Iran.
Methods: A sample of 396 students from medical, paramedical, and health sciences disciplines
were included in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to fill a questionnaire about their demographics
and socioeconomic status, medication usage and self-medication in the last six months,
information about the correct use of medication, and information about negative results of selfmedication.
Data were analyzed using chi-square, t-test and logistic regression model using R statistical
software.
Results: Almost 72% of participants reported self-medication in the past sixth months. The main
reasons included trust in their own diagnosis (59.9%), mildness of the disease (56.6%), and having
previous experience about the disease (56%). Cough or cold (84.5%), headache (66.3%), and body
pain (60.2%) were the most frequent diseases that led to self-medication. The majority of the
participants (77.7%) reported they select their medicine on their own decision. Furthermore,
self-medication was highly related to having medicine stock at home (OR=2.692), having less
information about negative results of self-medication (OR=0.835), and more non-syllabus study
time (OR=1.041).
Conclusion: Although, medical science students have information about the treatment of illnesses,
they should be more informed about negative results and side-effects of self-medication. They
should also share their knowledge with society to decrease self-medication.
