Abstract

STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS SELF-MEDICATION AMONG HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS IN KARNATAKA, INDIA

Shivaraj D. R.*, Hitha Kommeri and Shibin K. Biju

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Abstract

Background: Self-medication is defined as obtaining drugs without medical supervision either for treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a disease that may lead to various risks such as wasteful expenses, drug resistance, and adverse drug reaction. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards self-medication among health science students. Materials and Methods: A prospective crosssectional study was conducted among 200 students at selected pharmacy and nursing colleges in Tumkur to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding self-medication. Data were collected, analyzed, and interpreted by using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of the total 200 participants 112(56%) were Pharmacy students and rest 88(44%) were Nursing students and 136 (68%) were females and 64 (32%) were males. When comparing the mean correct response of knowledge, attitude, and practice on self-medication, nursing students have given a more correct response on knowledge (67.6%) attitude (55.97%) and practice (45.8%) than pharmacy students. Conclusion: The study result revealed that selfmedication is commonly practiced among both the pharmacy and nursing students and students were aware of some aspects of self-medication. Though self-medication is difficult to avoid, certain interventions like further health education programs can be launched to increase awareness among students about the pros and cons of its use.

Keywords: Self-medication, knowledge, attitude, practice, pharmacy students, nursing students.