Assessment of Self-Medication Practices and Knowledge Among Medical Students in Chengalpattu District: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The practice of self-medication is wherein individuals initiate the use of medications without consulting a healthcare professional. College life is a period marked by academic, social, and personal changes. Due to their greater freedom and the pressure of academic success, students face various health issues. In reaction to perceived health concerns, college students often self-medicate by using over-the-counter or even medicines without medical consultation. Factors such as desire for quick relief and lack of awareness can contribute to self-medication. Mental health concerns, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, may drive students to self-medicate as a coping mechanism.

Aim: The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of self-medication among young adults, determine the reasons, extent, and practice of self-medication, and assess self-medication practices, knowledge, and attitudes among medical students.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was used to collect data on the prevalence of self-medication and associated risk factors among college students from a tertiary private medical college in Chengalpattu district between January and March 2024. For the academic year 2023-24, approximately 1,000 students were registered across the first, second, third, and final years of the college. Using a simple random sampling technique, a total of 450 eligible undergraduate medical students were randomly selected. Informed consent was obtained from the participants before the start of the study. All undergraduate students aged 18 and above were included in the study. Students with chronic diseases requiring regular prescription medications and who were not willing to participate were excluded from the study.

Results: The prevalence of self-medication among medical college students was 66.2%. Among the study participants, 45.6% of students had adequate knowledge about self-medication. Around 51% of participants had an attitude that self-medication is acceptable for minor illnesses. In terms of practice, cough syrup was the most frequently used, with 175 (58.7%) of participants reporting its use. Factors such as year of study, gender and self-medication practice had a significant association with knowledge about self-medication.

Conclusion: Self-medication poses a growing risk to individuals' physical health and overall well-being. Hence, it is crucial to encourage responsible medication use and emphasize the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before taking any medication. If left unaddressed, self-medication practices can lead to severe health consequences and undermine the quality of life.