Self-medication among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities-Iraq

• Published in: Journal of the Faculty of Medicine, Baghdad Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 156 - 159
• Main Authors: Inad, Murtada Muhammad, al-Shawi, Amil Faruq, Ali, Ahmad Fadil, Salih, Junaid Akram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Arabic; English
• Published: Baghdad, Iraq University of Baghdad, Faculty of Medicine 31.12.2018; College of Medicine University of Baghdad
• Subjects: Medical students, self - medication, Falluja University, Anbar University, Iraq
• ISSN: 0041-9419; 2410-8057
• DOI: 10.32007/med.1936/jfacmedbagdad.v60i3.7

Background : Self-medication (SM) is a worldwide issue, that has serious adverse effects on individuals and communities. Objective : To estimate the prevalence of self- medication among medical student in Anbar and Falluja Universities and to explore the important reasons for using self-medication. To identify the common sources and types of self-medication drugs. Method : A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities during the period from February to March 2018. The subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire that consisted of questions on age, gender and educational level, in addition to questions for self-medication history. Results :The results revealed that 73 % of medical students had practice of self- medication. A higher prevalence of self-medication was found among 5th study year students. Antibiotics were the most frequent self-prescribe medicine that used by 137 (49.6 %) of the participants, followed by analgesic (29 %), and supplements by 40 (14.5 %). The most frequently given reasons for using self-medication were previous prescription and of pharmacists’ advice. Conclusion : A high prevalence of self- medication was found among medical students in Falluja & Anbar Universities with a statistical significant association between gender and self- medication practice.