Prevalence of Self-medication of Antibiotics among MBBS Students at Medical College in Vidarbha

Abstract

Abstract Background: In many nations, including India, self-medication (SM), especially with antibiotics, has become more popular in recent years. Students who self-administer antibiotics without a prescription or medical supervision are susceptible to severe complications, such as antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the prevalence of SM antibiotics among MBBS students at a medical college in Vidarbha, Maharashtra. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2030 to July 2023 among 500 undergraduate medical students (MBBS) in Vidarbha used a pretested questionnaire and Google Form to collect data on SM behaviors, antibiotic procurement practices, knowledge on antibiotic use, and attitudes toward antibiotic abuse. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Version 22.0. Results: In this study, 650 individuals were initially selected as potential participants. However, after collecting responses via a Google Form, complete data were obtained from 500 individuals. Therefore, this cohort of 500 participants was included in the final study population. Out of 500 participants, 275 (55%) were females and 225 (45%) were males. Among all study participants, approximately 270 (54%) reported SM. Azithromycin emerged as the most commonly SM antibiotic, primarily used to treat cough and fever. Conclusion: The prevalence of SM antibiotics among MBBS students is a concerning as well as alarming issue. We recommended that it is important to have strict laws against selling drugs without a prescription. Furthermore, spreading awareness among everyone, including medical students, is crucial to discourage the practice of self-medicating with antibiotics.