The practice of self-medication among Pakistani university students

Abstract

Self-medication refers to the selection and use of medicines without prescription by an individuals’ personal responsibility as a cure of self-identified disease. Although its rationale, type and extent may different from culture to culture, it is globally prevalent practice. In Pakistan no research is available on the use of self-medication among university students. The existing study was conducted to investigate the frequency and percentages of branded medicines used by university students, reasons and rationale behind self-medication. It was a survey research design and descriptive statistics were collected regarding the use of self- medication. Hence, a sample of 300 students was employed between the age range of 16-25 years (M = 20.23, SD = 2. 76). The respondents filled a questionnaire regarding socio-economic and demographic variables, use of self-medication, and medication knowledge. Information was obtained on the conditions treated with medication, the medications used, and attitude towards self-medication. Results indicated mostly used type of self-medication was allopathic (f = 230, 77%). Headache was found to be more frequently prevalent disease. Most frequently used medicine was Disprin (M = 49.68, SD = 15. 14) as a cure of headaches and other body pains. Financial problems (f = 90, 30%) left over drugs (f = 46, 15%) and easy accessibility (f =38, 12.7%) were found to be the strongest factors in using self-medication. Moreover significant differences appeared in the use of type of medicines between boys and girls. The study concluded that self-medication is widely used practice among university students in Pakistan.