Comparative Analysis of Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics Among Non-Medical and Medical College Students in India

Authors

  • Manthan Dhingra Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Maninder Kaur Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Jalandhar, India
  • Vikram Kumar Gupta Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Barinder Sagar Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Namit Singla Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Simranpreet Singh Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Abhra Ghosh Dayanand Medical College & Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151120244417

Keywords:

Self medication, Antibiotics, Undergraduate Students, Medical Education, Non-medical Education, Medical students, Non-Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is prevalent globally, making the processes easier but raising potential hazards like antibiotic resistance. College students, influenced by social media, exhibit alarming self-medication behaviours. This cross-sectional study surveyed undergraduate students across medical, nursing, and non-health science institutions to assess the self-medication habits, knowledge and attitude of students.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted across various educational institutions from August 2023 to February 2024, targeting undergraduate students aged 18 and over. Using a pre-validated questionnaire, data on socio-demography, self-medication with antibiotics, and related knowledge were collected via Google Forms. The sample size was doubled to 1175 for better statistical power. Data analysis was performed using standard statistical tools.

Results: Analysis of data demonstrated that a substantive proportion of students self-medicate with antibiotics. For medical students, convenience was the biggest issue and for non-medical students, it was cost-saving coupled with distrust in doctors. The most common complaint received for self-medication was throat pain. Medical students used textbooks for necessary information whereas non-medical students went to local shops for advice. Patterns differed somewhat in comparison with international studies, indicating regional differences. Strikingly, medical students predominantly relied on academic knowledge and previous experiences while using antibiotics, whereas non-medical students often obtained antibiotics from shops or the internet, making them vulnerable to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Conclusion: This highlights the importance of implementing specific interventions to reduce unsafe self-medication practices in students.

References

James H, Handu SS, Al Khaja KAJ, Otoom S, Sequeira RP. Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first-year medical students. Med Princ and Pract. 2006 Jun;15(4):270-5, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1159/000092989

Geissler PW, Nokes K, Prince RJ, Achieng Odhiambo R, Aagaard-Hansen J, Ouma JH. Children and medicines: self-treatment of common illnesses among Luo school children in western Kenya. Soc Sci Med. 2000 Jun; 50(12):1771-1783, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(99)00428-1

Fainzang S. The Other Side of Medicalization: Self-Medicalization and Self-Medication. Cult Med Psychiatry. 2013 Sep;37(3):488-504, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-013-9330-2

Chautrakarn S, Khumros W, Phutrakool P. Self-Medication With Over-the-counter Medicines Among the Working Age Population in Metropolitan Areas of Thailand. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Aug;12, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.726643

Fact.MR. Self-Administered Medication Market [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 1]. Available from: https://www.factmr.com/report/328/self-administered-medication-market.

Hughes CM, McElnay JC, Fleming GF. Benefits and Risks of Self Medication. Drug Saf. 2001;24(14):1027-37, Doi: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200124140-00002

Khadka A, Kafle KK. Prevalence of Self-medication among MBBS students of a Medical College in Kathmandu. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2020 Feb;58(222), Doi: https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.4840

Clavijo HA, Baquero JA, Ulloa S, Morales A. Self-medication during pregnancy [letter]. World health forum. 1995 ; 16(4) : 403-404 [Internet]. 1995; Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/45101

Rathod P, Sharma S, Ukey U, Sonpimpale B, Ughade S, Narlawar U, et al. Prevalence, Pattern, and Reasons for Self-Medication: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study From Central India. Cureus. 2023 Jan, Doi: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33917

Zajmi D, Berisha M, Begolli I, Hoxha R, Mehmeti R, Mulliqi-Osmani G, et al. Public knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use in Kosovo. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2017 Jan;15(1), Doi: https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2017.01.827

Antwi AN, Stewart A, Crosbie M. Fighting antibiotic resistance: a narrative review of public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antibiotics use. Vol. 140, Perspectives in Public Health. SAGE Publications Ltd; 2020. p. 338-50, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913920921209

Chapot L, Sarker MS, Begum R, Hossain D, Akter R, Hasan MM, et al. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use and resistance among veterinary students in Bangladesh. Antibiotics. 2021 Mar;10(3), Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10030332

Nair M, Tripathi S, Mazumdar S, Mahajan R, Harshana A, Pereira A, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic use in Paschim Bardhaman District: A survey of healthcare providers in West Bengal, India. PLoS One. 2019 May;14(5), Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217818

Okeke IN, Laxminarayan R, Bhutta ZA, Duse AG, Jenkins P, O'Brien TF, et al. Antimicrobial resistance in developing countries. Part I: Recent trends and current status. Vol. 5, Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2005. p. 481-93, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70189-4

Shitindi L, Issa O, Poyongo BP, Horumpende PG, Kagashe GA, Sangeda RZ. Comparison of knowledge, attitude, practice and predictors of self-medication with antibiotics among medical and non-medical students in Tanzania. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1301561

Rajendran A, Kulirankal KG, Rakesh PS, George S. Prevalence and pattern of antibiotic self-medication practice in an urban population of Kerala, India: A cross-sectional study. Indian J Community Med. 2019 Sep;44(5):S42-5, Doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_33_19

Phalke V, Phalke D, Durgawale P. Self-medication practices in rural Maharashtra. Indian J Community Med. 2006;31(1):34, Doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.54933

Naing L, Nordin R Bin, Abdul Rahman H, Naing YT. Sample size calculation for prevalence studies using Scalex and ScalaR calculators. BMC Med Res. Methodol 2022 Jul;22(1):209, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-022-01694-7

Analyze a 2x2 contingency table - GraphPad [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jun 12]. Available from: https://www.graphpad.com/quickcalcs/contingency1/

Sarahroodi S, Arzi A, Sawalha AF, Ashtarinez A. Antibiotics Self-Medication among Southern Iranian University Students. Int J Pharmcol. 2009 Dec;6(1):48-52, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2010.48.52

Napolitano F, Izzo MT, Di Giuseppe G, Angelillo IF. Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding the Use of Antibiotics in Italy. PLoS One. 2013 Dec;8(12):e84177, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0084177

Awad AI, Aboud EA. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Antibiotic Use among the Public in Kuwait. PLoS One. 2015 Feb;10(2):e0117910, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0117910

Abasaeed A, Vlcek J, Abuelkhair M, Kubena A. Self-medication with antibiotics by the community of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2009 Aug;3(07):491-7, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.466

Nair A, John' S, Doibale M. Pattern of Self-Medication with Antibiotics among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Government Medical College. Int J Prev and Pub Health Sci. 2015 Sept;1(3):9-13.

Azad AH, Afzal M, Rizwi F, Rajput AM. Self Medication Patterns amongst Undergraduate Medical Students of a Private Medical college. JIMDC J Islamabad Med Dent College. 2013;2(2):72-6.

Kumar N, Kanchan T, Unnikrishnan B, Rekha T, Mithra P, Kulkarni V, et al. Perceptions and Practices of Self-Medication among Medical Students in Coastal South India. PLoS One. 2013 Aug;8(8):e72247, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072247

Donkor ES, Tetteh-Quarcoo PB, Nartey P, Agyeman IO. Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics among Tertiary Level Students in Accra, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2012 Oct;9(10):3519-29, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9103519

Banerjee I, Bhadury T. Self-medication practice among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary care medical college, West Bengal. J Postgrad Med. 2012;58(2):127-31, Doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/0022-3859.97175

Mandal NK, Rauniyar GP, Rai DS, Panday DR, Kushwaha R, Agrawal SK, et al. Self-medication Practice of Antibiotics among Medical and Dental Undergraduate Students in a Medical College in Eastern Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2020 May;58(225), Doi: https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.4914

Ayele Y, Mamu M. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards disposal of unused and expired pharmaceuticals among community in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2018 Dec;11(1):27, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-018-0155-9

Buke C, Hosgorlimoncu M, Ermertcan S, Ciceklioglu M, Tuncel M, Kose T, et al. Irrational use of antibiotics among university students. J Infect. 2005 Aug;51(2):135-9, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2004.12.001

Ling Oh A, Hassali MA, Al-Haddad MS, Syed Sulaiman SA, Shafie AA, Awaisu A. Public knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic usage: a cross-sectional study among the general public in the state of Penang, Malaysia. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2010 Nov;5(05):338-47, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1502

Pal B, Murti K, Gupta AK, Choudhury U, Rastogi M, Pandey H, et al. Self Medication with Antibiotics among Medical and Pharmacy Students in North India. Am Med J. 2016 Feb;7(2):7-12, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3844/amjsp.2016.7.12

Rathish D, Wijerathne B, Bandara S, Piumanthi S, Senevirathna C, Jayasumana C, et al. Pharmacology education and antibiotic self-medication among medical students: a cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes. 2017 Dec;10(1):337, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2688-4

Ajibola O, Omisakin O, Eze A, Omoleke S. Self-Medication with Antibiotics, Attitude and Knowledge of Antibiotic Resistance among Community Residents and Undergraduate Students in Northwest Nigeria. Diseases. 2018 Apr;6(2):32, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6020032

Poyongo BP, Sangeda RZ. Pharmacists' Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding the Dispensing of Antibiotics without Prescription in Tanzania: An Explorative Cross-Sectional Study. Pharmacy. 2020 Dec;8(4):238, Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy8040238

Shah SJ, Ahmad H, Rehan RB, Najeeb S, Mumtaz M, Jilani MH, et al. Self-medication with antibiotics among non-medical university students of Karachi: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2014 Dec;15(1):74., Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-6511-15-74

Jairoun A, Hassan N, Ali A, Jairoun O, Shahwan M. Knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotic use among university students: a cross sectional study in UAE. BMC Public Health. 2019 Dec;19(1):518, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6878-y

Gillani AH, Ji W, Hussain W, Imran A, Chang J, Yang C, et al. Antibiotic self-medication among non-medical university students in Punjab, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Oct;14(10), Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14101152

Downloads

Published

2024-11-01

How to Cite

1.
Dhingra M, Kaur M, Gupta VK, Sagar B, Singla N, Singh S, Ghosh A. Comparative Analysis of Self-Medication Practices with Antibiotics Among Non-Medical and Medical College Students in India. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 7];15(11):970-9. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4417

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles