AUTHOR=Loni Shamshad Begum , Eid Alzahrani Raed , Alzahrani Mansour , Khan Mohammad Owais , Khatoon Rafia , Abdelrahman Huda Hakim , Abd-Elhaleem Zeinab A. , Alhaidari Munira Mohammed 

TITLE=Prevalence of self-medication and associated factors among female students of health science colleges at Majmaah University: A cross-sectional study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1090021

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1090021

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Globally, the prevalence of self-medication among young people has increased exponentially.  Due to the basic knowledge and easy access to medicines, undergraduate students at health science colleges are likely to self-medicate. This research was undertaken to assess the self-medication prevalence and its contributing factors among female undergraduate students in health science colleges of Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.
 Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 214 female students from the Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia's health science colleges—Medical: (82, 38.31%) and Applied Medical Science College (132, 61.68%) —was conducted.  A self-administered questionnaire with sociodemographic information, drugs used and reasons for self-medication was used for the survey. Non-probability sampling techniques were used to recruit participants.
 Results: Of the 214 female participants 173, 80.84 % (Medical: 82, 38.31% and Applied medical science: 132, 61.68%) confirmed that they were on self-medication. The majority of participants (42.1%) were between the age group 20 to 21.5 years (Mean±SD: 20.81±1.4).The main reasons for self-medication were quick relief from the illness (77.5%) followed by saving time (76.3%), minor illnesses (71.1%), self-confidence (56.7%) and laziness (56.7%). Use of left over drugs at home was common among applied medical science students (39.9%). The main indication for self-medication included menstrual problems (82.7 %), headache (79.8%), fever (72.8%), pain (71.1%) and stress (35.3%). Most common drugs used included antipyretic and analgesics (84.4%), antispasmodics (78.9%), antibiotics (76.9%), antacids (68.2%), multivitamins and dietary supplements (66.5%). On the contrary least used were antidepressants, anxiolytics and sedatives (3.5%., 5.8%, 7.5 % respectively).
Family members were the main source of information for self-medication (67.1%), followed by self -acquired knowledge (64.7%), social media (55.5%), and least were friends (31.2%). For adverse effects of the medication, the majority of them consulted the physician (85%) followed by consulting the pharmacist (56.7%) and switched to other drugs or decreased drug dosage. Quick relief, saving time and minor illness were the main reasons for self-medication among the health science college students. It is recommended to conduct awareness programmes, workshops and seminars to educate the benefits and adverse effects of Self-medication.