Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-medication among Pharmacy Students in North Cyprus

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study is to assess the attitude, knowledge and practice of self-medication among fifth year Pharmacy Students at Near East University in Northern Cyprus. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in faculty of pharmacy in Near East University in Northern Cyprus on 28 of December 2018. Methodology: A 7- part self administered questionnaire was used among fifth year pharmacy students who were available during the study time. Results: A total of 77 questionnaires were distributed to be filled by respondents, all of them were filled completely and collected. 88% of the participants in our study were in the prevalent age group of 22-26 years and most of these students were from Turkey (58.3%). 25.7% of students visited a physician when they had a disease, however 25% of them didn’t comply with physician’s prescription. Headache (16.8%) and common cold (14.0%) were the most frequently reported illness for which self-medication was taken. Analgesic medicines (37.4%), followed by vitamins (29.7%) and antibiotic (13.5%), were used commonly as self-medication. Nearly all of students 95.9% knew the meaning of OTC and prescription only drugs. About 30.7% of students medicated themselves because it isn’t a serious disease. The main source of information about self-medication for students was  the advice from pharmacist (29.7%). 26.8% of students  agreed that pharmacists are good source of information for minor medical problems, 18.2% agreed that self-medication is acceptable for pharmacy students however 4.1% accepted that self-medication is not acceptable at all and it would be harmful. Conclusion: The practice of self-medication is prevalent amongst fifth year pharmacy students even with adequate knowledge and awareness about the consequences. Proactive pharmacist may contribute in management of minor illness and rationalized self-medication.