Abstract

Self-prescription of Paracetamol by Medical and Science Students at a Public University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Author(s):Khalid A. Bin Abdulrahman, Shahad Hameed AlShammari, Wejdan Abdullah Alshakarah, Hanan Rafat A Bukhari, Ahad Marei Alenazi and Norah Saud Al Towaim

Background: Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers among university students worldwide. Inappropriate self-medication may lead to harm. Thus, this study aimed to measure the prevalence of selfprescription of paracetamol consumption among undergraduate medical and science students at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of science and medical colleges of IMSIU located in the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It was designed in the form of an online self-administered questionnaire (survey) via google form. The duration of the study was three months, i.e., September 2020-November 2020. Results: Three hundred twenty-three (323) students have completed the survey. The majority of them were female. The responses were 141 (44%) from medical students and 182 (46%) from science students. The prevalence of self-prescription of paracetamol was seen among 58.8% of the participated students. The prevalence was more among females (45.8%). The study showed that the prevalence of self-prescribed paracetamol was high among medical students (63.1%) compared with science students (55.5%). Reasons for taking paracetamol without prescriptions, which are quick pain relief, time-saving, and expected to receive the same medication from doctors, formed average percentages among students (41.1%-23.7% -33.7%) respectively. Conclusions: Self-prescription of paracetamol by medical and science students at IMSIU is high. Although the students exhibited some awareness of self-prescription, it is highly encouraged for the university faculty to intervene and advance through educational efforts to reduce consumption and bring awareness to self-medication.

• Full-Text
• PDF