Practices and perceptions of self-medication with over-the-counter medicines in treating common illnesses among allied health students in a tertiary university in the Philippines [author]: Abis, John Adrianne D., Asprec, Lysandra Gail T., Del Fierro, Nathania Leila E., Gozarate, Maria Graciela D., Sevilla, Klarisse Anne D.

Includes Appendix

ABSTRACT:
Based on the most recent PhilCare Wellness Index in 2021, self-medication is still common among Filipinos, and the majority prefers online research rather than online or in-person consultation. This results in irrational drug use that needs to be addressed. The study aimed to determine factors to the growing trend of self-medication in treating common illnesses using Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs by knowing its prevalence, practices, and perceptions among allied health students in a tertiary medical university. The study employed a descriptive correlational design. Stratified random sampling was conducted in seven allied health programs using Google form questionnaires, adapted from Kumar, et al. (2013), and data collection lasted from March to April 2023. A total of 217 students (62.18%) participated and the majority were female, in their third-year level, taking Medical Laboratory Science. 206 (94.93%) identified analgesics and tonics (144; 66.36 %) as the two most frequent medications purchased. This medication led to the most prevalent sickness reported by 170 students (78.34%), which was headache, followed by flu, cough, and cold with 158 (72.81%). The top reasons for the engagement of self-medication are urgency, emergency, and/or quick relief 132 (60.83%). Relying on their academic knowledge about medicines is their source of information (135, 62.22%), as knowing such leads to practicing self-medication (Adhikary et al., 2014). Significant associations were found using the chi-square test. Year level and allied health programs have significant associations with 3 practices of self-medication, namely the sources of information, engagement, and the reasons behind this practice (p-values = 0.039; 0.044; 0.008). Changes with the advancement of knowledge are inevitable as students' progress through medical school. Therefore, wider studiesshould be conducted to assess the extent of self-medication practices, prioritizing informing people about the associated side effects through mass and social media campaigns.
Keywords: Attitudes, Common illnesses, Over-the-counter medicines, Perceptions, Selfmedication

School of Pharmacy