A cross sectional study of awareness regarding Antibiotic Resistance and Self-medication in Medical students from an urban area in Sangli district (Maharashtra), India.

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a great challenge to medical fraternity. Self-medication is widely regarded as one of the contributing factor for development of antibiotic resistance. Various studies conducted all over the globe have found that self-medication is prevalent in medical students. The current study was planned to understand the prevalence of self-medication and its pattern among the medical students from Sangli City (Maharashtra), India.

Material & Methods: Study design: A cross sectional study. Study population: Students studying in Medical colleges of Sangli Municipal Corporation area. Sampling technique: Cluster random sampling. Sample Size: Calculated sample size was 263. As all the students from selected cluster were included, hence the total participants in the study were 399. Permissions and consent: Required ethical clearance, permissions from institute heads and written consent from each participants was also taken. Study tools: Pre-designed, pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis: It was done using Microsoft Excel 2012 and SPSS-22. Percentage and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. 

Results: Prevalence of self-medication among medical students was 99.25%. Self- knowledge and convenience were the most important reasons for self-medication. Awareness and attitude regarding antibiotic resistance had increasing trend with first to final year. Majority of students 243 (60.9%) had poor practices regarding to antibiotic use; these were not associated with years of medical education.

Conclusion: Self-medication is common among M.B.B.S students. Knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance is insufficient. There is a need for better training of medical students regarding antibiotic resistance and its effects.