Self-Medication Patterns and Practices among Undergraduate Dental Students Compared to Undergraduate Non-Dental Students- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication, which is an element of self-care, is a practice which if practiced responsibly can reduce the load on the healthcare system; but when practiced irresponsibly can lead to a myriad of problems. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of self-medication practices and behavior among undergraduate dental students and to compare them with those of non-dental undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: Four ninety-two undergraduate dental students and three hundred and seven non-dental undergraduates from Mumbai who consented to participate in the study were administered a semi-structured anonymous questionnaire regarding their gender, field of education, year of study, their self-medication habits, most common symptoms and drug class used for self-medication and the reason for the same. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS ver. 23. (statistical package for social sciences) Frequency tables were generated, and statistical relationship between the variables was analysed using the Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The response rate for the study was 93.01%. The percentage of dental students who self-medicated were 54.1%, while the same percentage was 42.3% in non-dental undergraduates. The most common source of drug information in both dental undergraduates and non-dental undergraduates was the pharmacist (25.60% in dental students and 36.90% in non-dental students). The most common symptom for which self-medication was practised by dental and non-dental students was cough and cold, although, the distribution of symptoms were more varied and tended towards the more complex ones in the dental undergraduates. The most common reason for self-medication in dental undergraduates was the illness being a mild one, while the same was the need for quick relief in non-dental undergraduates.  Conclusion: Although there was only a slight difference in the self-medication practices of dental undergraduates and non-dental undergraduates, the former tends to make slightly more rational decisions about the same. The awareness about responsible self-medication in dental undergraduates needs to be emphasised throughout their course of study.