A study to assess prevalence, pattern and reason for self medication among
youngster
INTRODUCTION
Self-medication is defined as the selection and use of medicines by individuals (or a member
of the individuals ‘family) to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed condition or symptoms
Paucity of drug related information and easy accessibility to over-the-counterdrugs have
contributed to the high incidence of self-medication. Strict regulations regarding drug
dispensing and community awareness of related issues are need of the hour. An
epidemiological study conducted in Brazil included 1,509 working nurses, it reported a
prevalence of 24.2% of self-medication in this subset of population. This study makes us
aware of the fact that internationally too, self-medication has been on the rise. In India certain
common problems viz. headache, fever, flu, diarrhea and sore throat are being treated at
home. Whereas some minor ailments can be relieved with over the counter (OTC)
medications such as Paracetamol or with some other traditional or herbal medicines, without
physician consultation. The trend is increasing Amon youths and common among students.
Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide growing problem, with negative patient outcomes. Anti-
microbial-resistant pathogens have become a threat to patients and have also increased health
care costs. Noncompliance with infection control precautions and the inappropriate use of
antimicrobial agents have been identified as the main risk
factors for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
It also led to increase in the economic burden as many patients have to be started on higher
antibiotics. There are potential risks of self-medication practices such as incorrect self-
diagnosis, delays in seeking medical advice when needed, infrequent but severe adverse
reactions, dangerous drug interactions, incorrect manner of administration, incorrect dosage,
incorrect choice of therapy, masking of a severe disease and risk of dependence and abuse.
Medicines act as a double-edged sword they can restore your health and improve the quality
of your life; at the same time, if it is not used correctly can cause Seriou harm to your body. In
this purview, Dr Mashelkar report advises inclusion foot (Over the Counter) drugs in
Schedule K to ensure quality and timely availability of commonly required medicines to the
lay population. The phrase “OTC” has no legalrecognition in India, all the drugs not included
in the list of prescription-only drugs” are considered to be non-prescription drugs (or OTC
drugs). OTC Drugs means drugs legally allowed to be sold “Over the Counter”
bypharmacists, i.e. without the prescription of Registered Medical Practitioner. Over the
counter drugs (OTC) are meant for self-medication and are of proven efficacy and safety, yet
their improper use due to lack of knowledge of their side effects and interactions could have
serious implications
Background of the Study
Self-medication is the use of medicines without consulting a qualified healthcare professional.
According to the World Health Organization, responsible self-medication can be a part of
self-care; however, irrational and unsupervised use of drugs is a growing public health
concern.
Studies in India show that self-medication is common among college students due to
academic stress, lack of time, easy availability of medicines, previous experience with illness,
and influence of peers or media. Urban areas like Pune provide easy access to pharmacies,
which may further encourage this practice.
Misuse of antibiotics, painkillers, and other medications can lead to serious problems such as
drug resistance, adverse effects, and delayed diagnosis. Therefore, assessing the pattern and
attitude towards self-medication among college-going students is essential to promote safe
practices and develop effective health education strategies.
Need for the Study
Self-medication is increasingly common among college students due to easy access to
medicines, academic stress, time constraints, and influence from peers and the internet. In
urban areas like Pune, medicines are readily available, which may encourage unsupervised
use.
Improper self-medication can lead to adverse drug reactions, antibiotic resistance, delayed
diagnosis, and drug misuse. However, limited data are available regarding the pattern and
attitude toward self-medication among college students in Pune City.
Therefore, this study is needed to understand the extent of self-medication practices and
students’ attitudes, and to help in planning awareness programs and promoting safe and
rational use of medicines
Objectives :
1. To determine the prevalence of self-medication practices among college-going students.
2. To identify the common illnesses or conditions for which students practice self-
medication.
3. To assess the types and categories of drugs commonly used for self-medication (e.g.,
analgesics, antibiotics, antipyretics, etc.).
4. To identify the sources of information influencing self-medication practices (e.g.,
pharmacists, internet, family, friends, previous prescriptions).
5. To assess the reasons for practicing self-medication among students.
6. To evaluate the level of knowledge regarding the risks and complications associated with
self-medication.
7. To assess students’ attitudes toward self-medication practices and rational drug use.
8. To examine the association between selected demographic variables (age, gender, course of
study, year of study, etc.) and self-medication practices.
Problem Statement:
“A study to assess pattern and attitude towards self-medication among college going students
in the urban area of Pune City.”
Operational Definitions for the Study
ASSESS -
Assess means to evaluate, judge, or measure the nature, quality, or ability of a person,
situation, or thing.
{Oxford}
. Assess means to carefully examine, evaluate, or judge the value, quality, condition, or
importance of something.
ATTITUDE -
Attitude is a person’s way of thinking, feeling, or behaving toward a particular person, object,
idea, or situation.
{Oxford}
A person's settled way of thinking or feeling about something, reflected in their behavior or
disposition towards it.
PATTERN -
The practice of taking medicine or drugs to treat oneself without medical supervision.
{ Oxford}
A pattern is a repeated or regular arrangement of elements, shapes, numbers, sounds, or behaviors that
follow a certain rule or sequence.
SELF MEDICATION -
The practice of taking medicine or drugs to treat oneself without medical supervision.
{ Oxford}
Self-medication is the practice of using medicines to treat self-diagnosed symptoms or
illnesses without consulting a qualified healthcare professional
Projected Outcomes of the Study
1. Determination of Prevalence
The study will estimate the proportion of college-going students who practice self-
medication in the urban area of Pune City.
2. Identification of Patterns of Self-Medication
• Common illnesses for which students self-medicate (e.g., headache,
fever, cold, menstrual pain).
• Frequently used drug categories (analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics,
antihistamines, etc.).
• Sources of medicines (pharmacies, leftover prescriptions, friends,
online
platforms).
• Sources of information (internet, peers, family, previous prescriptions).
3. Assessment of Attitude Toward Self-Medication
• Students’ beliefs regarding safety and effectiveness.
• Awareness of risks such as drug interactions, side effects, and antibiotic
resistance.
• Perception of self-medication as a time-saving or cost-effective
practice.
4. Identification of Risk Factors
• Influence of academic background (medical vs. non-medical students).
• Impact of accessibility of pharmacies in urban areas.
• Role of media and online health information.
5. Evaluation of Awareness Levels
The study may reveal gaps in knowledge regarding rational drug use
and
potential dangers of inappropriate medication.
6. Recommendations for Intervention Based on findings, the study is expected to
suggest:
• Health education programs in colleges.
• Awareness campaigns on safe medication practices.
• Strategies to promote responsible drug dispensing practices.
• Policy-level recommendations to improve regulation and monitoring.
Scope of the Study
The scope of the present study is to assess the prevalence, patterns, and reasons for self-
medication among youngsters within the selected study setting. The study focuses on
understanding the extent of self-medication practices and the factors influencing such
behavior among the youth population.
The study will include youngsters within a defined age group and will assess their self-
medication practices related to common minor illnesses such as fever, headache, common
cold, gastrointestinal problems, and other minor ailments. The scope also encompasses the
identification of commonly used medications, including analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics,
and gastrointestinal drugs.
The study will explore various reasons for self-medication, such as easy availability of
medicines, previous experience with similar illnesses, time constraints, cost-effectiveness,
influence of pharmacists, family and peer advice, and information obtained from the internet
and social media.
Additionally, the study will assess the level of knowledge and awareness among youngsters
regarding drug dosage, duration of treatment, potential side effects, and risks associated with
self-medication, including antibiotic resistance. The findings of the study will help identify
unsafe or irrational self-medication practices prevalent among youngsters.
The scope of the study is limited to self-reported practices and does not include clinical
diagnosis or medical interventions. However, the results are expected to provide valuable
insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and educators to design targeted health
education programs, promote rational drug use, and strengthen regulatory measures related to
drug dispensing among the youth population.
HYPOTHESIS
Null Hypotheses (H₀)
H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between the pattern of self-medication
and attitude towards self-medication.
H₀₂: There is no significant association between the pattern of self-medication
and selected socio-demographic variables.
H₀₃: There is no significant association between attitude towards self-
medication and selected socio-demographic variables.
Research Hypotheses (H₁)
H₁: There is a significant relationship between the pattern of self-medication
and attitude towards self-medication among college-going students.
H₂: There is a significant association between the pattern of self-medication and
selected socio-demographic variables (age, gender, course of study, year of
study, family income).
H₃: There is a significant association between attitude towards self-medication
and selected socio-demographic variables.
Limitations of the Study
1. Self-Reported Data
The study relies on self-reported information from youngsters, which may be subject
to recall bias or social desirability bias, as participants may forget details or provide
socially acceptable responses rather than accurate ones.
2. Limited Sample Size
The findings of the study may be limited by the sample size and may not fully
represent all youngsters in the wider community.
3. Restricted Study Area
Since the study is conducted in a selected geographical area or institution, the results
cannot be generalized to all youngsters in different regions or settings.
4. Cross-Sectional Study Design
The cross-sectional nature of the study captures self-medication practices at a single
point in time and does not allow assessment of changes in behavior over time or
establish cause-and-effect relationships.
5. Possibility of Incomplete Information
Participants may have limited knowledge about the exact names, dosages, or duration
of medicines used, leading to incomplete or inaccurate data.
6. Exclusion of Clinical Verification
The study does not include clinical assessment or verification of the reported illnesses
or medications, which may affect the accuracy of the findings.
7. Time Contraints
The limited duration of the study may restrict in-depth exploration of all factors
influencing self-medication practices among youngsters.
Conceptual Framework of the Study
The conceptual framework for this study is developed to explain the relationship between
various factors influencing self-medication practices among youngsters and the resulting
outcomes. The framework is based on the assumption that self-medication behavior is
influenced by individual, socio-environmental, and health-system-related factors, which
together determine the prevalence, pattern, and reasons for self-medication.
1. Independent Variables
The independent variables are the factors that influence self-medication practices among
youngsters. These include:
• Demographic Factors
Age, gender, educational status, socioeconomic status, and place of residence.
• Personal Factors
Previous experience with illness, perception of illness severity, desire for quick relief,
time constraints, and cost-saving behavior.
• Knowledge and Awareness
Knowledge regarding common illnesses, drug dosage, duration of treatment, side
effects, and awareness about risks such as antibiotic resistance.
• Sources of Information
Pharmacists, previous prescriptions, family and friends, advertisements, internet,
social media, and virtual assistants.
• Health System Factors
Easy availability of over-the-counter drugs, accessibility of pharmacies, lack of strict
drug regulation, and limited access to healthcare services.
2. Intervening Variables
Intervening variables may modify the relationship between independent and dependent
variables. These include:
• Attitude towards self-medication
• Level of health literacy
• Cultural beliefs and practices
• Influence of peers and family
• Trust in non-professional sources of health information
3. Dépendent Variables
The dependent variables are the outcomes of interest in the study and include:
• Prevalence of Self-Medication
The proportion of youngsters practicing self-medication.
• Pattern of Self-Medication
Types of illnesses treated, drugs used, frequency of use, dosage patterns, and duration
of self-medication.
• Reasons for Self-Medication
Factors motivating youngsters to self-medicate, such as convenience, affordability,
prior experience, and accessibility.
4. Outcome Variables
The outcomes reflect the impact of self-medication practices and include:
• Appropriate or inappropriate drug use
• Occurrence of adverse drug reactions
• Risk of antibiotic resistance
• Delay in seeking professional medical care
• Health-related complications
5. Feedback Mechanism
The framework assumes a feedback loop where outcomes of self-medication (relief of
symptoms or adverse effects) influence future self-medication behavior, either reinforcing or
discouraging the practice among youngsters.
Summary of the Study
This chapter deals with the background of self medication among college going students in
the urban area of pune city