Self-medication among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities – Iraq

Abstract

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a worldwide issue, that has serious adverse effects on individuals and communities. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self- medication among medical student in Anbar and Falluja Universities and to explore the important reasons for using self-medication. To identify the common sources and types of self-medication drugs. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities during the period from February to March 2018. The subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire that consisted of questions on age, gender and educational level, in addition to questions for self-medication history. Results: The results revealed that 73% of medical students had practice of self- medication. A higher prevalence of self-medication was found among 5th study year students. Antibiotics were the most frequent self-prescribe medicine that used by 137 (49.6%) of the participants, followed by analgesic (29%), and supplements by 40 (14.5%). The most frequently given reasons for using self-medication were previous prescription and of pharmacists’ advice. Conclusion: A high prevalence of self- medication was found among medical students in Falluja & Anbar Universities with a statistical significant association between gender and self- medication practice.

Keywords

• Medical students, self - medication, Falluja University, Anbar University, Iraq.