Self-medication with analgesics among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence and predictors of self-medication with analgesics among senior medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University [KAU], Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 participants in 2013. A multistage stratified random sampling was used. A confidential, anonymous and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and socio-demographic data. Data about self-medication and self-medication with analgesics during the preceding 6 months were also inquired. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were done by SPSS version 18 and Epi-Info. During the 6 months preceding the study, 75.2% and 55.4% of participants used self -medication and analgesic self-medication, respectively. The first predictor of utilization of analgesic self-medication was living with family [aOR; 1.96, 95% CI 1.22-3.14], followed by age >21 years and non- professional jobs of fathers. Alarming high rates of self medication and self-medication with analgesics were observed among medical students and interns. Self-medication needs improvement through educational, regulatory and managerial strategies