Self-medication practices and their characteristics among Iranian university students

Rahimisadegh, Rohaneh; Sharifi, Nader; Jahromi, Vahid Kohpeima; Zahedi, Razieh; Rostayee, Zahra; Asadi, Razieh

doi:10.1186/s40360-022-00602-5

BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology

Table 2 Self-reported attitudes of the university students towards drug use

From: Self-medication practices and their characteristics among Iranian university students

Questions		N	%
Do you use others’ medicines or buy medicines from pharmacy without prescription?	Yes	380	44.8
	NO	468	55.2
	Total	848	100
Do you have medicines prescribed without being sick or buy and keep at home in case of need?	Yes	228	26.9
	NO	620	73.1
	Total	848	100
Have you taken any antibiotics in the last 12 months?	Yes	581	68.5
	NO	267	31.5
	Total	848	100
Do you use antibiotics on your own without a physician’s examination?	Yes	400	47.2
	NO	448	52.8
	Total	848	100
How long do you use the antibiotics prescribed for you?	I quit after the symptoms disappear or a few days after I feel recovered	146	17.2
	I quit at the end of treatment	65	7.7
	I quit after consulting a physician/pharmacist	265	31.3
	I quit a few days after disappear the symptoms	63	7.4
	I quit a few days after whether I feel recovered	198	23.3
	I quit a few days after whether I feel recovered or not	83	9.8
	Others	28	3.3
	Total	146	17.2
How many boxes of drugs do you have unused or unfinished in your house?	None	137	16.2
	1_5	345	40.7
	6_10	116	13.7
	More than 10	250	29.5
	Total	848	100
Over a year, how many boxes of drugs are thrown away even without opening the box, since the expiry date has lapsed?	1_3	300	35.4
	4_7	120	14.2
	8_10	50	5.9
	More than 10	76	9
	None	302	35.6
	Total	848	100
Do you read/check the instructions in the prospectus of the medications you are using?	Yes, always	277	32.7
	Yes, sometimes	496	58.5
	No, I do not	75	8.8
	Total	848	100
How much do you understand about the information in the prospectus of the drug you are using	I understand fully	441	52
	I partially understand	385	45.4
	Questions	N	%
	I understand nothing	22	2.6
	Total	848	100
What do you do if you experience any side effects while taking medication	I quit medication	226	26.7
	I quit the medicine and start a new one with the same effect	25	2.9
	I consult to a pharmacist	22	2.6
	I consult to a physician	439	51.8
	I consult to my family	42	5
	I do nothing	39	4.6
	Others	46	5.4
	Total	839	98.9
Have you heard the expression of rational drug use and rational use of antibiotics before	Yes	477	56.3
	NO	371	43.8
	Total	848	100

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ISSN: 2050-6511

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