A Study of the Prevalence of Self-medication and Its Relevant Factors in Students of Ramsar Medical and Paramedical University, ۲۰۱۵

Background & Objectives: Self-medication is one of the major social and health problems in Iran and other parts of the world, the prevalence of which is on a growing trend. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication and its related factors among students of Medicine and Paramedicine faculties of Ramsar, Iran, in ۲۰۱۵. Materials & Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in ۴۵۶ students of Medicine and Paramedicine faculties of Ramsar, Iran. The relevant data was gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS, version ۱۹, using Chi-square test. Results: In the current study, the rate of self-medication was estimated at ۵۱.۳% (۵۱.۵% and ۵۰.۹% in male and female students, respectively). Most of the used medications by the target population were painkillers (۴۹.۶ %) and the most frequent illnesses that led to self-medication were cold and headache (۳۷% and ۲۰.۷ %, respectively). The most common method for drug access was through drugstore (۵۳.۳%). Moreover, the students of Public Health and Dentistry faculties showed the highest rates of self-medication (۵۷.۴% and ۵۲.۴%). In this study, ۲۰.۷% of those students who used self-medication faced side effects of the drugs. Conclusion: To lower the rate of self-medication among students of Medicine and Paramedicine, who are among the educated classes of the society and play an important role in the improvement of the culture of the society, it is recommended to implement proper training programs to change the attitudes and performance of this population regarding drug consumption and its probable side effects.

Keywords:

Drug , Medical sciences , Paramedicine , Self-medication , Student , پیراپزشکی , خوددرمانی , دارو , دانشجو , علوم پزشکی