Self-medication: Prevalence among Undergraduates in Kathmandu Valley
Kushalata Baral
Department of Public Health, Nobel College (Pokhara University), Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Maginsh Dahal *
School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
Shreya Shrestha
Department of Public Health, Nobel College (Pokhara University), Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Anup Adhikari
Nepal Family Development Foundations, Kupondole, Kathmandu, Nepal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Self-medication is defined as the use of medicines to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms, instead of seeking advice from professionals.
Aim: Our study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among undergraduates in different colleges of Kathmandu valley.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduates of Kathmandu valley. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to students in 4 different colleges. Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. Likert’s scale was used to measure attitude.
Results: 240 students participated in this study. Totally, (92.9%) students had known and taken medicine without doctor’s prescription. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had good knowledge on self-medication and nearly three quarter (74.7%) of the respondents had a positive attitude regarding self-medication. Fever, cough/cold and aches/pain were the most common symptoms for self-medication, thus making antipyretics and analgesics the most popular self-medication drugs. Pharmacists and family were the major source of information regarding self-medication.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the prevalence of self-medication was high (94.9%). Majority respondents had good knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of self-medication but still practiced it.
Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, prevalence, self-medication, undergraduates, Nepal