Evaluate the creatinine clearance and compare nephrotoxic potential of amikacin and gentamicin, in post-operative patients with normal baseline renal function

Background: Self-medication is a common practise among health care students. But comparative studies evaluating knowledge, attitude and practises (KAP) between different academic streams are limited. Hence, the presence study aimed to compare the prevalence and existing self-medication behaviour between medical and nursing students. Methods: A 3- month comparative cross-sectional study was conducted across 216 students (107 MBBS and 106 nursing). Self-administered digital questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding socio- demographic details and KAP domains. SPSS version 26 was utilized to analyse data, employing Chi Square and Student T test, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The overall prevalence of SM was found to be 81.6%, with no significant difference between the two academic streams (MBBS 82.24% vs Nursing 90.95%; p=0.81). MBBS students demonstrated significantly higher knowledge (81.31% vs 55.24%; p<0.001) and positive attitude (85. 05% vs 69.52%; p=0.011) as compared to nursing students. However, the adequate practises were low across both the groups (MBBS: 19.63% Nursing: 14.29%; p<0.394), highlighting a notable knowledge- practise gap. Although headache was the most common indication reported in both the streams, MBBS students significantly self-medicated for fever and respiratory problems using their academic knowledge and evidence-based databases. On the contrary, nursing students self-medicated majorly for gastro-intestinal problems driven by financial constraints, easy availability of medicines without prescription and consultation with pharmacists or old prescriptions. Digital platforms were extensively used by both the groups. Unsafe practises such as prescription sharing, ignoring package instructions, failure to check expiry dates and premature cessation of treatment were more prevalent among nursing students. Conclusions: Self-medication practices were prevalent in both the academic streams. This warrants need of incorporating educational programs related to safe self-medication practices, rational pharmacotherapy, pharmacovigilance and anti-microbial stewardship in undergraduate curricula of healthcare students.