Practice of Self-Medication among Under Graduate Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Jharkhand

Introduction: WHO defines Self-medication as self-prescription which includes diagnosing and treating one’s own illness and prescribing for one’s self. Self-medication is widely prevalent globally among both urban and rural populations, including developing nations such as India, where numerous medications are available over the counter without the need for a prescription. This accessibility offers a cost-effective option for individuals. particularly for minor or common ailments such as headaches, fevers, and the common cold self-medication may appear to be a convenient and economical option, However it carries considerable risks and potential negative outcomes. The misuse of nonprescription medications is particularly notable among young individuals, especially students, largely influenced by media and advertising. This practice is prevalent not only within the general population but also among healthcare professionals, who possess greater awareness of drug patterns, incidence, and knowledge. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using online methods among 93 MBBS students. The study involved the administration of the research questionnaire including demographic information, practice of self-medication, type of illness, factors influencing self-medication, commonly self-prescribed drugs, sources of self-medication. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was81 (87%), more common among female students. The common illness found was fever and headache and common drug self-prescribed was analgesic-antipyretic. The most common source of obtaining self-medication was pharmacy. Most prevalent motivations for self-medication were the aim to conserve time followed by the assessment of the illnesses as being minor. Conclusions: Self-medication is a common practice among medical students. Although it can alleviate certain health concerns, it also poses risks such as adverse drug reactions, the emergence of drug resistance, and the possibility of masking more serious health issues. To mitigate the prevalence of self-medication, it is crucial that medical students are adequately educated on the principles of rational prescribing. Moreover, additional studies are necessary to investigate self-medication behaviors among different health professionals and the general population.