A questionnaire based study to assess the knowledge of 2nd year medical students on self-medication / OTC
Journal Title: International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics (IJRPP) - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge of medical students about OTC drugs. Materials & methods 150 students who are in 2nd year MBBS studying at MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Hoskote were given a questionnaire covering about awareness & various aspects on usage of OTC drugs & responses obtained were noted. Results 120 (80%) students knew that OTC means Non-prescription drugs. Among 150 students, only (54%) used OTC & majority of them have taken treatment from physician in the past 6 months. The frequently reported illness that prompted self-medication included respiratory diseases [cough, cold, sore throat, pharyngitis, tonsillitis etc.] & viral fever. Majority of them obtained OTC by telling the drug name - self decision (64%), telling symptom (11.33%), showing old prescription (8.66%) & 10 (6.66%) students have practiced self-medication by advice from an herbalist / Ayurveda. Most common reasons for self-medication was its less time consuming (43.33%) & previous experience of similar illness (26.66%) which lead to repeated use of self-medication for same problem in (82%) students. Commonly used self-medication was analgesic (97.33%). Gastrointestinal side effects (47.33%) & sedation (39.33%) were more with OTC drugs used. We have found that (51.33%) people share OTC among relatives and friends. About (81.33%) students were aware about precautions to be taken as per instructions & label, whereas (57.33%) students knew about possible drug interactions / contraindications of OTC drugs. Conclusion Even though self-medication was not common among our students because most of them were aware about OTC drugs their advantages & disadvantages, it’s inevitable to stop its usage among the public. The intervention will require better education of public and health professionals to avoid the irrational use of drugs.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr Swapna R Nayaka
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP402167
- DOI -
- Views 125
- Downloads 0
Study of non-invasive predictors of oesophageal varices in chronic liver disease
Esophageal varices (EVs) are a serious consequence of portal hypertension in patients with liver diseases. Several studies have evaluated possible noninvasive markers of EVs to reduce the number of unnecessary endoscopie...
Pattern of adverse drug reactions of cisplatin based drug regimen in tertiary care cancer institute
ABSTRACT Aims To assess the pattern of adverse drug reactions in patients receiving cisplatin based cancer chemotherapy in tertiary care cancer institute. Materials and Methods A prospective, observational study was carr...
Anti microbial activity of Ocimum basilicum and Achyranthes aspera
The aim of the study was to investigate antibacterial and antifungal activity of plant extract taken from two different plants, Achyranthes aspera Linn., and Ocimum basilicum against Streptomyces fulvissimus, Klebsiella...
Evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic activity of ethanol extract of Ochna obtusata DC. In the male wister albino rats by using High fat diet induced method.
Latest trends have been increasing demand of phyto drugs and some medicinal herbs have proven to be potential in anti-hyper lipedemic activity. Medicinal herbs and extracts are prepared from them are widely used in the t...
Gastroprotective activity of ethanolic bark extract of prunus persica against expreimentally induced gastric ulcer in rats
The aim of the study is to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of ethanolic bark extract of Prunus persica (EBPP) against NSAID plus pylorus ligation induced gastric damage in rats. 10 to 20% of world population trust...