A Qualitative Study to Explore the Use of Self-Medication and Influencing the Factors among the University Students

Abstract

Background: Self-medications are more practicing in developing countries sue to the limited healthcare resource and facilities. The prevalence rate of self-medication has in increased dramatically in India. This study was conducted to determine use and influencing factors for self-medication from the students who are studying in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy colleges at CHARUSAT University between 1st to 30th April 2023. Method: A qualitative research design incorporating 12 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews was conducted with students by using the non-probability purposive sampling technique. All the interviews were conducted, audio recorded and thematic analysed was used for data analysis. Results: Data saturation was achieved with 12 interviews with 7 female and 5 males with mean age 21.6 years. Six themes were identified and one central theme Balancing health knowledge and responsibility – Navigating self-medication safely was identified. Some of common medicines were identified like paracetamol, vitamin E, fish oil, aspirin and levocetirizine and some factors were negative impact, reasons, origins, and home remedies. Conclusion– The para medical students of CHARUSAT University at Gujarat , India are used the selfmedication including paracetamol, Vitamin E, fish oil , aspirin , ORS solutions, Cyclopam MF , Rantac and pantoprazole also several influencing factors like advertisements , economical factors , social factors , hospital related factors and professional factors . This study demonstrates the value of educating university students to modify their attitudes on self-medication. Health care policy maker provide a Strick policy on selling the without prescription medicine.