Assessment of Self-Medication Practices among Students of Dental College of Bareilly City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication is defined as use of medicines by the individuals on their own without professional advice to

treat self-diagnosed conditions.

Aim: This study aims to assess the self-medication behaviors of interns and postgraduates

students at the dental college in Bareilly. Materials and Methods: During the months of August and September 2021, a cross sectional survey was done among interns and postgraduates students aged 17–25, sample size of 165 at Institute of Dental College in Bareilly city. A questionnaire consisting of 20 closed-ended questions related to various aspects of self-medication practice was handed to the students.

Results: Among 165 students, 68.5% of the participants were female. The majority of students (64.2%) obtained information through a past sickness or doctor’s prescription, directly from the pharmacy (20.3%), or by accessing the web (15.5%). Around 72.7% of students knew enough about adverse medication reactions.

Conclusion: The vast majority of dental students self-medicate. Actions should be adopted to minimize this type of behavior by educating students about the benefits and drawbacks of using medications without a prescription.

Key words: Self-medication, dental students, non-prescription drugs