Practice of self-medication among medical students in Manipal

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication among medical students, compare the frequency of selfmedication practice between first year and second year medical students and evaluate the socio-demographic factors that are associated with this practice. Methods: First and second year medical students of Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), Manipal were included for the study. A written informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to the study. Self-administered, structured pre-tested questionnaires which consisted of closed- and open-ended questions were used for the study. Questionnaire included questions on demographic information and various socio-economic variables. Results: A total of 231 students (first year students, n=126; second year students, n=105) responded to the questionnaire. The most commonly selfprescribed drugs were pain killers, anti-pyretics, vitamins, antacids and herbal/homeopathic medicines. Consumption of antipyretics, antiallergics and hormonal pills were significantly higher among year 2 students compared to year 1 (p< 0.05) Intake of antibiotics, analgesics, vitamins, antacids and tonics was found to be almost equal. Year 1 students were found to consume higher amounts of antidepressants and sleeping pills compared to year 2 though the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Self-medication practice among medical students studying in MMMC was significantly higher among the second years compared to first years. In addition to allopathic drugs, herbal/homeopathic medicines were also commonly used. Selfmedication practice is rampant among students and urgent corrective measures are warranted.