A STUDY OF PATTERN OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG STUDENTS FOR DYSMENORRHEA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i6.22499Keywords:
Self-medication, Dysmenorrhea, StudentsAbstract
 Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the pattern of self-medication for dysmenorrhea among students and compare it between medical and non-medical students.
Methods: The observational study was conducted from May to August 2014. After obtaining the Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent from all students with dysmenorrhea aged between 18 and 25 years were included in the study. Demographic details such as age and duration of dysmenorrhea per cycle were recorded. A questionnaire comprising 16 questions was administered to medical and nursing students of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical and Nursing Colleges and students attending outpatient departments of R.L.Jalappa Hospital and Research Center attached to Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: A total of 240 students (93 medical, 84 nursing, and 63 non-medical) were included in the study. The mean age was 20.1±1.8 years (medical), 20.4±1.4 years (nursing), and 21.9±1.8 years (non-medical). 46% medical, 29% non-medical, and 10% nursing students used drugs to control pain. Most commonly used drugs were mefenamic acid + dicyclomine and mefenamic acid. 56% of medical and all non-medical and nursing students did not have knowledge of side effects of drugs. Among the eight nursing students, six self-administered the drug but 54% and 56% of medical and non-medical students, respectively, followed doctor's advice to use the pain medications. 40% of medical students self-medicated themselves.
Conclusion: Medical students preferred drugs for control of menstrual pain compared to others and most commonly used drug was mefenamic acid.
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