EXPLORING SELF-MEDICATION BEHAVIORS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: FINDINGS FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Self-medication, defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders without professional supervision, has become a widespread public health concern globally. Among university students, this practice is increasingly prevalent and poses significant health risks, including drug misuse, incorrect self-diagnosis, and potential drug interactions. Several studies have highlighted the magnitude of this issue, revealing alarmingly high prevalence rates. For instance, one cross-sectional study reported that approximately 62.9% of students engaged in self-medication, while studies in India and Iraq observed rates as high as 92%. University students often justify self-medication based on several interrelated factors. Common reasons include the perception that health issues are minor and do not require medical consultation, lack of time to visit a physician, and prior positive experiences with certain medications. Additional motivations include seeking advice from friends, avoiding the costs associated with medical consultations, easy access to over-the-counter drugs, and the desire to avoid long waiting times at healthcare facilities. Despite its perceived convenience, self-medication can contribute to serious public health consequences such as antibiotic resistance, masking of serious illnesses, and adverse drug reactions. This study provides an overview of the self-medication behaviors among university students and underscores the need for increased awareness, targeted health education campaigns, and stricter regulatory measures to mitigate the misuse of medications in this vulnerable population