The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, but in what direction we are moving

Background: A number of evaluations (at small and large scale) regarding selfmedication have been carried out but very few of them reflect the opinions of the medical students. Objectives of the Study: To find out the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding selfmedication among students of 4th year MBBS NMC, Pakistan Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: The study was carried out among 4thyear MBBS students of NMC, Multan and data was completed and analyzed in the department of community medicine NMC, Multan, Pakistan. Duration: Study was conducted from 30th May, 2014 to 21st June, 2014. Study Population: Students of 4th year MBBS NMC, Multan. Inclusion Criteria: Students of 4th year MBBS. Exlusion Criteria: Students of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and final year MBBS are excluded from the study. Sample Size: Sample size was 210. Results: • Age of 4thyear students ___3.33%(16-18 year), 30.95%(19-21), • 60.48%(22-24), 4.76%(25-27) & 0.48%(28-30) • Gender distribution of 4th year students__28.57% male students and 71.43% female students. • Self-medication among 4th year students__ 45% male and 36% female students self-medicate while 55% male and 64% female students do not self-medicate. • Educational status of Parents of 4th year students __30.14% are master, 35.17% are graduate, 7.66% are intermediate, 15.55% are matric and 11.48% are under matric. • Frequency of self-medication__ 12.34% students always, 66.67% off & on while 20.99% very rarely self-medicate. • Reasons for self-medication __ 92.59% students self-medicate for convenience while 7.41% for cost savings. • Common complaints for self-medication __ 40.15% complaints are of Headache, 36.50% are of fever while 23.35% are of common cold. • 2 • Commonly used drugs for self-medication __ 44.67% panadol, 19.38% dispirin, 12.92% ibuprofen, 12.08% metronidazole and 10.95% augmentin are used. • Adverse reaction by self-medication __ 93.83% students did not observe adverse reactions while 6.17% observed adverse reactions. • Conclusion: From the study we concluded that self-medication is commonly practiced in 4th year students of the institute. There is a dire need to create awareness and educate the students about the dangers of self medication.