Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Self-Medication among Medical Students at UST, Aden, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is known as using drugs to treat self-diagnosed diseases without consulting a physician. Self-medication is a widespread practice worldwide. Objective: This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to self-medication among medical students at the University of Science and Technology (UST), Aden, Yemen. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample of 265 among medical students at UST. Results: The results revealed that 86.04% of participants practiced self-medication, primarily using analgesics (61.1%), and 85.29% of participants identified self-medication as using medication without a doctor's consultation, 10.56% said it is associated with incorrect dosing or herbal remedies, and 40.0% believed self-medication should be encouraged among medical students. Conclusion: The findings indicate prevalent misconceptions about the risks associated with self-medication, emphasizing the need for enhanced educational programs to promote responsible healthcare practices.