Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Viewpoints of Undergraduate University Students towards Self-Medication: An Institution-Based Study in Riyadh

Basheerahmed Abdulaziz Mannasaheb, Mohammed Jaber Al-Yamani, Sarah Abdulrahman Alajlan, Lamyaa Munahi Alqahtani, Shrouq Eid Alsuhimi, Razan Ibrahim Almuzaini, Abeer Fahad Albaqawi and Zahaa Majed Alshareef
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Basheerahmed Abdulaziz Mannasaheb: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Jaber Al-Yamani: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Sarah Abdulrahman Alajlan: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Lamyaa Munahi Alqahtani: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Shrouq Eid Alsuhimi: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Razan Ibrahim Almuzaini: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Abeer Fahad Albaqawi: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
Zahaa Majed Alshareef: College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: Rational and responsible self-medication (SM) is not only the key to better health outcomes, but also key to limiting adverse drug events. This institution-based cross-sectional study utilized seven- and four-item scales to assess the knowledge and attitude towards SM. Similarly, SM practices were measured using eight scale questions consisting of SM practice during the last six months, type of drug consumed, reason and frequency of SM, and so on. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Overall, 371 students completed the questionnaire. The students with a good level of knowledge and positive attitude towards SM were 60.64% and 66.8%, respectively. About 55.5% of students practiced SM during the last six months using antipyretics (37.7%), multivitamins (36.4%), sleeping aids (20.2%), and anti-histamines (18.6%). Headache (79.2%), fever (37.7%), pain (25.9%), and colds and coughs (25.3%) were the illnesses for which they sought SM. The students admitted that drug side effects (75%), drug resistance (33.7%), drug interaction (41.5%), and poor treatment outcome (28.3%) were the consequences of irrational SM practice. Students (87.6%) propose that extending SM awareness through the Ministry of Health (83%) and pharmaceutical companies (48%) as major platforms would improvise the rational practice. Since AlMaarefa University students will be future healthcare professionals, their perception must be considered and accordingly educated to practice rational SM.

Keywords: self-medication; AlMaarefa University; over-the-counter drugs; students; GPA; BMI (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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