Pharmacology education and antibiotic self-medication among medical students: a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Devarajan Rathish, Buddhika Wijerathne, Sandaruwan Bandara, Susanhitha Piumanthi, Chamali Senevirathna, Channa Jayasumana, Sisira Siribaddana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2017-07-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Pharmacology; Medical education; Self-medication; Medical undergraduates; Antibiotics
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-017-2688-4

Abstract Objective Pharmacology teaches rational prescribing. Self-medication among medical students is recognised as a threat to rational prescribing. Antibiotic self-medication could cause antibiotic resistance among medical students. We aimed to find an association between pharmacology education and antibiotic self-medication. Results Overall, 39% [(110/285) 95% CI 32.9–44.3] of students were found to have antibiotic self-medication. The percentage for antibiotic self-medication progressively increased with the year of study. The percentage of antibiotic self-medication was significantly high in the “Formal Pharmacology Education” group (47%—77/165) in comparison to the “No Formal Pharmacology Education” group (28%—33/120) (P = 0.001032). Overall, the most common self-prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin (56%—62/110).