Awareness Assessment of Over-The-Counter Analgesics among Zawia University Students, Libya

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications are widely available, but their improper or excessive use can lead to serious health risks. This study was conducted to assess the level of awareness among university students regarding the risks of using OTC pain medications. The study population included of 220 students, were randomly selected undergraduate students, comprising 82% of the total sample. and, only 18% of the participants were graduate students (postgraduate/master’s level. The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions divided into two parts. The first part focused on personal information, such, while the second part examined awareness and misuse of non-prescription analgesics. The study found that the age distribution of the student is skewed towards the younger age groups. The largest proportion, 49%, is in the 20-25 age range, while 29% are under 18 years old. The remaining 22% are in the 25-30 age group. whether medical or non-medical, was 24%, and the level of low awareness was 76% of the participants, and one of the reasons that contributed to the spread of the phenomenon is the presence of pharmacies that trust in prescribing an analgesic or medication without resorting to a doctor, where 26% of students and we also found in this study that the level of awareness among men was lower than women, so it should highlight the need to increase education and awareness campaigns to inform university students about the safe and responsible use of OTC pain medication. The study's findings emphasize the importance of educating university students about the potential risks associated with OTC pain medications and the need for responsible self- medication practices.