ABSTRACT:
Background: Self-medication is practiced all over the world. It is very much common among health professionals. Medical students because they are the future doctors thus have special significance. This study wants to assess the magnitude and factors of self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Dhaka city. Material and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional questionnaire based study among the Year-III and IV undergraduate medical students. Results: Among our study participants 392 (93.11%) reported illness and remaining 29 (6.89%) did not report any illness. It was found that 304 (77.55%) participants practiced self-medication followed by professional service seekers 63 (16.07%) and no action takers 25 (6.38%) respectively. The main morbidities for seeking self-medication included fever with headache 254 (83.55%) followed by common cold with cough 196 (64.47%), gastric pain 162 (53.29%). Drugs were commonly used for self-medication included antibiotics 200 (65.79%), antiulcer agents 162 (53.29%), antihistamines 108 (35.53%), antipyretics 100 (32.89%), vitamins with minerals 100 (32.89%), cough syrup 87 (28.62%), analgesics 79 (25.99%). Main sources of information were self-decision 221 (72.70%), information from reading materials 87 (28.62%), physicians advice without attending 54 (17.76%), advice from relatives and friends 37 (12.17%). Among reasons for practicing self-medication 196 (64.47%) respondents preferred it for seeking quick relief followed by minor illness 179 (58.88%), avoidance of long waiting at clinics 79 (25.99%). Conclusion: Self-medication is widely common among medical students. So authorities and faculties should create awareness regarding safe self- medication and educate the students regarding rational use of medicine.