Attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding self-medication with herbal products and psychotropic drugs among medical students in Medellin, Colombia

• Published in: Medicina U.P.B Vol. 37; no. 1; p. 17
• Main Authors: Marie Claire Berrouet Mejía, Manuela Lince Restrepo, Diana Restrepo Bernal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Medellín Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Attitudes; Drugs; Herbal medicine; Medical students; Psychotropic drugs; Self-medication; University students; Medellin Colombia
• ISSN: 0120-4874; 2357-6308
• DOI: 10.18566/medupb.v37n1.a03

Objective: Self-medication is a common practice among university students worldwide. The objective of this article is to explore the attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding self-medication of herbal products and psychotropic drugs in medical students. Methodology: Cross-sectional, descriptive study that included 625 students from all twelve semesters offered at the medicine program at a private university in Medellin, Colombia. A questionnaire was designed for the study which included sociodemographic variables, a list of psychotropic drugs and herbal products, and aspects related to attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding self-medication during the last year. Results: Median age was 20 years and interquartile range was 2 years; minimum age was 18 and maximum was 28 years. 67% were women; the female to male ratio was 2:1. 39.5% of the students self-medicated with herbal or psychoactive drugs. 16.7% self-medicated to sleep better, 14.5% to reduce stress and anxiety, and 8.3% for mood enhancement. 90.1% of the students considered self-medication an unsafe practice. However, 78.6% stated that they would continue self-medicating. Conclusion: Four out of ten (39.5%) medical students surveyed self-medicate with herbal products or psychotropic drugs to improve common mental symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The high use of medications without professional supervision exposes students to undesirable side effects, dependence, and suboptimal management of mental symptoms that deteriorate the quality of life of future health professionals.