Self-medication among students of health studies

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication is defined as the use of any medication without consulting with health professionals. Today, more often we speak about responsible self-medication, which involves the use of appropriate drugs, such as drugs without prescription (OTC) in accordance with individual needs (the proper indication, the proper drug, the proper information and assessments). The frequency of self-medicataion in the population of future health care workers is quite high everywhere. Research of the attitudes and knowledge of self-medication in this population has particular significance because they are future health workers who will be in contact with drugs and involved in health education of general population. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and reasons for self-medication in the population of future health care workers. Method: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study, with an anonymus questionnaire among future health care professionals, on a sample of 551 respondents. The questionnaire designed for this survey consisted questions about demographic characteristics respondents, questions about self-medication, the reasons for self-medication. Results: The majority of future health care workers (79.1%) reported the use of some sort of self-medication. Significantly higher percentage of self-medication is present among females (p=0.003), among midwives and nurses (p=0.001). The most common reason for self-medication was taking an active role in decision making related to health (54.1%). Conclusion: The study showed that self-medication was common among future health care workers. Future health care workers need to be well educated for responsible self-medication, in order to applied and promote her during they work.