A Survey of Medication Knowledge and Self-medication Practices among First-Year Students at Srinakharinwirot University

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to determine the knowledge and practices toward self-medication use of first year students at Srinakharinwirot University. Methods: 4,495 students in 17 faculties were sampled by clustered random sampling. A cross-sectional survey was conducted and self-administered questionnaire were used in this study. The questionnaires were developed, including 20 true/false questions to measure knowledge, 11 questions for practices in a 5-point scale. A descriptive statistics and t-test were used in data analysis. Results: A total of 1,517 subjects completed the survey instrument for a valid response rate of 76.6%. The majority of the respondents were non-health sciences students (67.8%). Most common symptoms that the students decided to use for self-medication were headache (40.0%), fever (19.7%), and common cold (19.4%). Based upon the survey, the question that the least number of respondents gave the correct answer was account for knowledge about antacid use, followed by storing eye ointment and gel after first use. The rational use of drugs for self-medication found in subjects studying health science was significantly better (p<0.05) than subjects studying non-health science. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that after gaining this information, the university will apply it for designing courses or activities to improve drug knowledge and self medication practices for the students.