Abstract

A STUDY ON IMPACT OF PHARMACOLOGY TEACHING ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF SELF MEDICATION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Dr. Vachhani Parth K.*, Dr. Sondarva Divyesh B., Dr. Singh Anil P.

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among medical students and to compare impact of pharmacology teaching among them. This study was questionnaire based exploratory study. A self-developed questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions were prepared and given to fill up to students of first and second year medical students. The results expressed as counts and percentages. Among first year students 61 and 65, among second year students 60 and 54 were male and female respectively. Among first year students 34 (26.98%) had knowledge of generic name, 65 (51.88%) had knowledge of side effects and 116 (92.08%) had knowledge of expiry date. Figure of knowledge among second year students were 101 (88.59%), 104 (91.22%) and 110 (96.49%) respectively. Attitude wise 81 (64.28%) of first year and 99 (86.84%) of second year students had felt the necessity of medical knowledge towards self-medication. Practice wise 94 (74.60%) of first year and 107 (93.85%) of second year students had taken self - medication in last 6 months. This study shows that second year students tend to have greater knowledge of appropriate self - medication, have a more confident as well as concerned attitude towards self-medication, and tend to practice self- medication more often and appropriately.

Keywords: Self-Medication; Medical Students, Pharmacology Teaching.