A cross sectional questionnaire based study on self medication practice of analgesics among M.B.B.S students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru

Abstract

Self medication with analgesics is prevalent worldwide among medical students due to easy availability of drugs. Present study was done to assess Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Perception of Self Medication of Analgesics among MBBS students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3 Term MBBS students of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru in November 2019. A Pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect relevant information on self medication of analgesics. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.78.4% of 3 term MBBS students practiced self medication with analgesics. Students had some knowledge regarding definition of self medication 84.8%, and side effects of analgesics 75.9%. They had no knowledge regarding dose, duration of treatment timing of drug administration, drug interactions and banned analgesics.Common reason for using analgesic self medication was headache (75.8%) and Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory drugs (80.6%) were commonly used. Analgesics were used for quick relief (67.7%) and source of information was from previous doctor’s prescriptions (64.5%). Students stopped taking analgesics after symptoms disappeared (83.8%). Students agreed that self medication is acceptable for medical students (48.1%).This study has found that self medication with analgesics was common among undergraduate medical students for minor illness. It is necessary to create awareness and educate students regarding dangers of analgesic self medication.