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

Abstract

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.