Practice of self medication among medical and non-medical students in Karachi

ABSTRACT

Self medication is a universal problem having low prevalence in developed countries and higher in developing countries [low and middle income countries] of the world. The study was designed to determine the pattern of self medication among medical and non medical students of Karachi. The tool of study was questionnaire, distributed among 100 medical and 100 non medical students of different universities. It was found that self medication was more prevalent in medical students [94%] than non-medical students [82%]. Medical students practiced self medication on the basis of their drug's knowledge, while non medical students used their previous experiences [26%], or advices from friends/relatives [17%]. Respondents [both medical and non medical students] were used to treat common complains like cough/flu, cold, headaches, and fever by self medication and they were satisfied with their practices. Anti-allergies, anti-pyretics, analgesics and antibiotics were among the medicines which have been taken by users without consulting physicians. Strict control of medicines is needed, since this approach to medicines may lead to harmful effects and development of resistance especially in case of antibiotics