Perception of self medication among the university student of kolkata

Self medication is defined as the use of medication by a Patient on his own initiative or on the advice of a Pharmacist or a lay person instead of consulting a medical practitioner. Self-care, including self-medication, has been a feature of healthcare for many years. The World Health Organization has emphasized that self medication must be correctly taught and controlled. Major problems related to self medication is wastage of resources, increased resistance of Pathogens, and generally entails serious health hazards such as adverse reaction and prolonged suffering. The main objective of the present study is to find out the awareness and consciousness of Hazards of Self medication among the University students of Kolkata. The present study has been carried out among the university students of Kolkata. 340 individuals of both sexes have been considered for this cross-sectional study aged between 20 and 23 years living in the metropolitan area of Kolkata. This type of study, using a self administered questionnaire, is largely dependent upon information given by respondents. However, given the high level of response, the results should closely approximate the behavior of the young University students of Kolkata and surroundings. Few participants consulted pharmacists for information on drugs. Students with a previous experience and with mild illness were more likely to practice self medication. This has implications, because many diseases have similar symptoms and a person using previous experience may be exposed to the dangers of misdiagnosis and consequently wrong treatment. Out of 340 respondents not a single respondent had proper knowledge about complete profile of the drug which was taken up by self medication practice.