Influence of Medication Error among Medical and Non-medical Students in a Malaysian University
1,2, 1,2★, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,3★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, MALAYSIA.
- 2Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, MALAYSIA.
- 3Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, MALAYSIA.
CORRESPONDENCE
Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, MALAYSIA.
Received: 29-08-2019; Revised: 19-09-2019; Accepted: 01-10-2019.
Volume 11, Issue 4 · pp. 399-403 · 2019 · DOI: 10.5530/jyp.2019.11.82
ABSTRACT
Background: Worldwide medication error is a common problem and inappropriate use of medicinal drugs is a major issue of drug resistance. Self-medication is a main contributor to human pathogen resistance to certain antibiotics. This research aims to investigate the prevalence, perception and predictors of self-medication among students in a Malaysian University.Methods: A total number of 317 students were included in this study. This cross-sectional study was conducted from Feb-May 2018. A convenience sample was taken from medical and non-medical university students. The association between the independents factors and the prevalence of self-medication was analysed using binary logistic regression. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.Results: Among the respondents, 39.1% of them had recently practiced self-medication. The most common reason for self-medication was due to convenience (50%) and the most common source of the medication is directly from pharmacies (46.4%). Commonly used medicines were analgesics (44.4%), cough and cold remedies (31.0%) and antibiotics (9.9%). The majority of students (46.0%) experienced sleepiness after self-medication. Overall, the participants scored a mean 8 out of 10 questions for knowledge assessments on self-medication. In the assessment of the participants’ attitude towards self-medications, the participants agreed with 4 of 5 statements that are against self-medication. The probability of self-medication was higher among medical students compare to non medical students (OR=2.039, P=0.025). In addition, students who are suffering from long term illness are at more risk of self medication (OR=5.190, P= 0.004).Conclusion: Selfmedication poses significant risk of toxicity upon misuse and proper selfmedication should be taught to all people through educational programs and better drug dispensing systems.
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Hang, L. J., Subramaniyan, V., Xiaojun, K., Bakar, M. H. B. A., Wei, T. Z., Alshtaiwi, M. J. M., Ling, L. W., Ambihabathy, K., & Azzani, M. (2019). Influence of Medication Error among Medical and Non-medical Students in a Malaysian University. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 11(4), 399-403. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2019.11.82
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