Self-medication, defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms without medical supervision, has become a growing public health concern worldwide (1). Among medical students, this practice is particularly common due to their increasing medical knowledge, easy access to medications, and confidence in self-diagnosing minor health issues (2). Although self-medication can provide prompt relief and reduce the burden on healthcare systems, it may also lead to inappropriate drug use, masking of severe diseases, adverse reactions, and the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance, especially with the unsupervised use of antibiotics (3,4).

In developing countries like India, where many medications are available over the counter, the prevalence of self-medication tends to be higher. Several studies have reported self-medication prevalence rates among medical students ranging from 50% to 90%, indicating a widespread and concerning trend (5). Contributing factors include perceived mildness of illness, previous experiences with similar symptoms, time constraints, and reluctance to consult physicians for minor ailments (6).

Despite their education, medical students may lack comprehensive understanding of pharmacovigilance, drug interactions, and antibiotic stewardship, making them vulnerable to the risks of self-medication (7). Assessing their self-medication practices is essential to designing interventions that promote responsible drug use and reinforce rational prescribing behavior in their future professional roles.

This study aims to determine the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors of self-medication among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary institution, thereby contributing to the evidence base for informed policy and educational strategies.

The study population included students from first to final year of the MBBS program. A stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure proportional representation from each academic year. Based on similar studies and assuming a 70% prevalence of self-medication, a sample size of 350 students was calculated with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error.

Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The tool was pre-tested among 20 students (not included in the final study) for validity and clarity. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic details, self-medication practices within the past six months, reasons for self-medication, and sources of drug information. It also included questions on commonly used medications and perceived risks of self-medication.

The completed questionnaires were coded and data were entered into Microsoft Excel. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were calculated. Chi-square test was used to examine the association between self-medication practices and variables such as academic year, gender, and awareness of drug side effects. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant

A total of 350 undergraduate medical students participated in the study, comprising 192 males (54.9%) and 158 females (45.1%). The mean age of participants was 20.6 ± 1.4 years. Out of the total respondents, 276 students (78.9%) reported practicing self-medication within the past six months.

The distribution of self-medication across academic years showed an increasing trend, with final-year students reporting the highest prevalence at 90.1%, followed by third-year (82.4%), second-year (74.5%), and first-year students (65.3%) (Table 1). This association between academic year and self-medication was statistically significant (p = 0.021).

Table 1: Prevalence of Self-Medication by Academic Year (n = 350)

Among the commonly used drug categories, analgesics were reported by 201 students (72.8%), followed by antipyretics (65.6%), antihistamines (43.8%), and antibiotics (29.7%) (Table 2). Notably, antibiotic use without prescription was more common among third- and final-year students.

Table 2: Commonly Used Drug Categories in Self-Medication (n = 276)

The most frequently cited reasons for self-medication were perception of illness as minor (63.4%), previous experience with the illness (52.1%), and lack of time to consult a doctor (41.3%). Sources of drug information included old prescriptions (58.0%), internet (49.6%), and peer advice (35.5%).

These findings suggest a high prevalence of self-medication among medical students, particularly in advanced academic years, with a strong reliance on over-the-counter medications and non-professional sources for drug-related decisions (Tables 1 and 2).

The present study highlights the widespread practice of self-medication among undergraduate medical students, with a prevalence rate of 78.9%. This figure aligns with previous findings reported in both national and international contexts, where self-medication prevalence among medical students ranged from 60% to over 90% (1,2). The higher rate in our study may be attributed to the increased accessibility of medications without prescription and a sense of confidence in clinical knowledge gained through medical training (3).

A significant association was observed between academic year and self-medication frequency, with senior students practicing self-medication more often than juniors. This trend is consistent with other studies, which suggest that the progression in medical education enhances students’ confidence in diagnosing and managing minor health issues without formal consultation (4,5). However, this self-reliance may be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to misuse or overuse of certain medications, particularly antibiotics (6).

Analgesics and antipyretics were the most commonly used drug categories in this study, which corresponds with global patterns of self-medication, as these medications are widely available and frequently used to manage symptoms like pain, fever, and headache (7,8). Notably, nearly 30% of the students reported using antibiotics without prescriptions. This is a major concern as irrational antibiotic use contributes significantly to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (9). Studies from Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and India have similarly shown high rates of antibiotic misuse among medical students (10,11,12).

The leading reasons for self-medication in this study were the perception of illness as minor and previous experience with similar symptoms. This finding is supported by literature that suggests medical students often avoid physician consultations due to academic pressure, time constraints, and perceived self-sufficiency (13,14). The reliance on old prescriptions and the internet for drug-related information was also reported, raising questions about the accuracy and safety of such practices (15).

Self-medication is highly prevalent among medical students, especially in senior years, with frequent use of analgesics and antibiotics. While their medical knowledge promotes confidence, it also emphasizes the need for targeted education on safe and responsible drug use.

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