Self Medication among University Students of Karachi
Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To find out frequency of self medication among university student of Karachi Pakistan.
METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted between July – August 2008. For the
purpose 207 students from 2 Universities of Karachi, one medical and one Non-medical were
selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data was collected through self administered
questionnaire, analyzed using SPSS v 10.
RESULT: Among 207 participants’, 103 were students of Karachi University while 104 were
studying at Dow University. Mean age was 22 years and male: female ratio was 1:4. Frequency
of self medication was found to be 80.4%. The most common reason for not consulting the doctor
was “Problem not serious” & the most common symptoms when self medication sought
were headache (62.3%) and fever (49.8%). The 62% participants’ knew that Self medication
could be harmful.
CONCLUSION: Frequency of self medication was high in educated youth despite the fact that
majority found aware of its harmful effects. There is need to revisit the definition and relative
significance of ‘self-medication’ in our local setting.
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $150
OpenAlex ID: W2188900589