Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Objectives: The objective of the following study is to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among university students and evaluate factors associated with the practice. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during May, 2012 using a pre-validated questionnaire distributed to 250 stude...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Archives of Global Professionals
2014-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Pharmacy Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.archivepp.com/article.asp?issn=2045-080X;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=35;epage=41;aulast=Sharif |
| _version_ | 1811202343120666624 |
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| author | Suleiman Ibrahim Sharif Rubian Suleiman Sharif |
| author_facet | Suleiman Ibrahim Sharif Rubian Suleiman Sharif |
| author_sort | Suleiman Ibrahim Sharif |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: The objective of the following study is to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among university students and evaluate factors associated with the practice. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during May, 2012 using a pre-validated questionnaire distributed to 250 students of the 4 years of study at the college of business administration. Data were analyzed using PASW Statistics for Windows, Version 18.0. Chicago: SPSS Inc and results are expressed as counts and percentages. Chi-square test was used to evaluate significant association among the study variables and P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The response rate was 80% and all respondents were Arabs with 114 (57%) females and 86 (43%) males. Self-medication was practiced by 118 (59%) students and most (88.1%) of them obtained medications from pharmacies. About 21 (11%) respondents self-medicated with antibiotics. Only 34 (17%) and 16 (8%) of respondents were aware of bacterial resistance and rational drug use respectively. The most common reasons for self-medication were seeking quick relief (134, 67%), physician′s advice of self-management (100, 50%), illness is minor (91, 45.5%). Common reasons against self-medication include risk of misdiagnosis of illness (160, 80%), risk of using the wrong medication (154, 77%), risk of adverse effects (140, 70%). Self-medication was practiced for headache or mild pain, eye and ear symptoms, gastric problems, cold, fever and allergy. Conclusion: Self-medication among non-healthcare students is common with high prevalence. Knowledge of students of reasons for and against self-medication was adequate, but awareness of respondents of rational drug use and risk of bacterial resistance in response to misuse was poor. Orientation courses/workshops directed to university students would be beneficial. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:38:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11de59e8649f4ae3b3e7a25e5b16704c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-080X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:38:15Z |
| publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
| publisher | Archives of Global Professionals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Pharmacy Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-11de59e8649f4ae3b3e7a25e5b16704c2022-12-22T03:51:25ZengArchives of Global ProfessionalsArchives of Pharmacy Practice2045-080X2014-01-0151354110.4103/2045-080X.128375Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesSuleiman Ibrahim SharifRubian Suleiman SharifObjectives: The objective of the following study is to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among university students and evaluate factors associated with the practice. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted during May, 2012 using a pre-validated questionnaire distributed to 250 students of the 4 years of study at the college of business administration. Data were analyzed using PASW Statistics for Windows, Version 18.0. Chicago: SPSS Inc and results are expressed as counts and percentages. Chi-square test was used to evaluate significant association among the study variables and P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The response rate was 80% and all respondents were Arabs with 114 (57%) females and 86 (43%) males. Self-medication was practiced by 118 (59%) students and most (88.1%) of them obtained medications from pharmacies. About 21 (11%) respondents self-medicated with antibiotics. Only 34 (17%) and 16 (8%) of respondents were aware of bacterial resistance and rational drug use respectively. The most common reasons for self-medication were seeking quick relief (134, 67%), physician′s advice of self-management (100, 50%), illness is minor (91, 45.5%). Common reasons against self-medication include risk of misdiagnosis of illness (160, 80%), risk of using the wrong medication (154, 77%), risk of adverse effects (140, 70%). Self-medication was practiced for headache or mild pain, eye and ear symptoms, gastric problems, cold, fever and allergy. Conclusion: Self-medication among non-healthcare students is common with high prevalence. Knowledge of students of reasons for and against self-medication was adequate, but awareness of respondents of rational drug use and risk of bacterial resistance in response to misuse was poor. Orientation courses/workshops directed to university students would be beneficial.http://www.archivepp.com/article.asp?issn=2045-080X;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=35;epage=41;aulast=SharifNon-health careself-medicationuniversity students |
| spellingShingle | Suleiman Ibrahim Sharif Rubian Suleiman Sharif Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Archives of Pharmacy Practice Non-health care self-medication university students |
| title | Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| title_full | Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| title_fullStr | Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| title_short | Self-medication among non-healthcare students of the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| title_sort | self medication among non healthcare students of the university of sharjah united arab emirates |
| topic | Non-health care self-medication university students |
| url | http://www.archivepp.com/article.asp?issn=2045-080X;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=35;epage=41;aulast=Sharif |
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