Research
Evaluation of Practice on Self-Medication among Allied Health Science Undergraduates of Sri Lanka, Therapeutic and Toxicity Implications
Authors:
K. L. C. Perera ,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About K. L. C.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
B. A. D. E. Chamara,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About B. A. D. E.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
W. K. Amarasinghe,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About W. K.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
M. A. C. T. Ariyadasa,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About M. A. C. T.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
H. W. Masimbula,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About H. W.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
H. H. V. K. N. De Silva,
CINEC Campus, Millenium Drive, IT Park, Malabe, LK
About H. H. V. K. N.
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
S. B. H. P. Kumari
Ministry of Local Government Economic, No 204, Denzil kobbakaduwa Mawatha Baththaramulla, LK
About S. B. H. P.
Assistant Secretary, Promotion Power and Energy, Environmental Affairs. Water supply & Drainage and tourism (W.P)
Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of self-medication, classes of drugs used as self-medication, identify the patterns of self-medication practices, and examine sociodemographic characteristics, factors that correlate with self-medication and adverse drug reactions caused due to self-medication. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Allied Health Science undergraduates of Sri Lanka who have practiced self-medication during past 2 months prior to data collection. This study was conducted after obtaining the ethical approval from Ethics Review Committee, CINEC Campus, Malabe. The data were collected as a google form. According to the results, the percentage of the prevalence of self-medication was 59.45%. Commonly used medicines were analgesics, antipyretics (77.82%), expectorants, antitussives (36.95%) and antibiotics (24.34%). Some of the reasons why undergraduates practiced self-medication were influenced from previous experience (62.17%), previous doctor’s prescription (34.78%) and because of the convenience (30.87%). Headache (70%), gastritis (35.21%), running nose (27.82%) and fever (27.39%) were the main four conditions for using self-medication. The reported adverse drug reactions were headache (40.00%), vomiting (22.17%), nausea (20.43%) and diarrhea (13.04%). In conclusion, more than half of the respondents (70%) think that self -medication is safe yet, most participants faced with adverse drug reactions (56.72%). Therefore, we suggest educating the people and implement policies regarding selling, advertising, and the safe use of self-medicated drugs, to prevent the adverse drug reactions.
How to Cite:
Perera KLC, Chamara BADE, Amarasinghe WK, Ariyadasa MACT, Masimbula HW, De Silva HHVKN, et al.. Evaluation of Practice on Self-Medication among Allied Health Science Undergraduates of Sri Lanka, Therapeutic and Toxicity Implications. CINEC Academic Journal. 2022;5(2):23–9. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/caj.v5i2.106
Published on
07 Sep 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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