Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Self‑medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Maryam Al-Hussaini 1
. Seham Mustafa 2
. Seham Ali 3

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait

2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Nursing, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait

3 Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Kuwait University, Kuwait

Abstract
Objective: The practice of self‑medication is growing world‑wide. It is associated with 
problems that may lead to potentially life‑threatening complications represent a priority 
to be investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self‑medication 
among undergraduate medical students and to evaluate the possible role of the pharmacist 
in self‑medication in Kuwait.
Methods: A descriptive cross‑sectional study was performed, using the questionnaire on 
a sample of 900 male and female students randomly selected from three health faculties 
in Kuwait. The prevalence of self‑medication, as well as the contribution of pharmacist in 
self‑medication was assessed. In addition, the role of the pharmacist as drug consultant for 
the students after getting the medication was evaluated.
Findings: The overall prevalence of self‑medication was 97.8%. The age was significantly 
inversely proportional to self‑medication. There was a significant difference between male 
and female students in self‑medication practice. Headache was the highest health conditions 
that most frequently motivated self‑medication with 90.1% prevalence, followed by 84.7% 
for dysmenorrhea and 60.3% for constipation. Contribution of the pharmacist as a part 
of self‑medication care was low totally, with the highest rate for cough conditions 40.1%. 
However, the role of the pharmacist as a drug consultant was more noticeable after obtaining 
the drug, not before. Around 80.1% of the students request information from the pharmacist 
about doses, duration of treatments and side‑effects.
Conclusion: The prevalence of self‑medication among undergraduate students in Kuwait 
is high and there were significant differences for age and gender. The contribution of the 
pharmacist was low in self‑medication, while it was high after getting the drugs for obtaining 
drug related information. The practice of self‑medication is alarming. Improved awareness 
about the role of pharmacist as a drug consultant for careful and cautious use of medicines 
available for self‑medication would be strongly recommended.

Keywords

Kuwait
medical student
pharmacist
self‑medication
undergraduate
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 3, Issue 1
Winter 2014
Pages 23-27

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