SURVEY ON SELF-MEDICATION OF PAIN RELIEVERS IN STUDENTS OF CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY IN 2024
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Self-use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers is on the rise. Currently in Vietnam, the subjects at high risk of drug abuse are university students. Learning about self-use of OTC pain relievers among students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy is an issue of concern. Objective: To describe the current situation of self-use of pain relievers and identify some factors related to self-use of pain relievers among students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2024. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with analysis was conducted on 1068 full-time students from courses 44 to 49 at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the 2023-2024 academic year by sending questionnaires and google forms to the cluster sample group. Results: The rate of self-administration of pain relievers among students in the past 3 months during the study period was 38.7%. In general, more female students selfadministered pain relievers, accounting for 65%, paracetamol was used most 93.9%, headache was the main symptom leading to self-administration, accounting for 73.8%; factor related to selfadministration of pain relievers were gender (p<0.05). Conclusion: Research indicates that the selfuse of pain relievers is relatively common and is associated with female gender and living conditions.
Keywords
Pain relievers, OTC, students, Can Tho
Article Details
References
Campus, Jazan University, KSA. Ann Pharm Fr. 2021. 79(3), 275-285, doi:
10.1016/j.pharma.2020.10.012.
2. Rajab MH, Ewis SK, Almatar K, Abdelmajed LY, Ba Sowid MS, et al. Utilization of Overthe-Counter Painkillers Among Medical Students During Academic Examinations. Cureus. 2023. 15(8), 1-7, doi: 10.7759/cureus.43706.
3. Magadmi RM, Kamel FO, Hagras MM, Alhmied HI, Aljumaiy WH, et al. Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Self-Use of Pain Medications in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Microsc Ultrastruct. 2021. 10(1), 15-19, doi: 10.4103/JMAU.JMAU_47_20.
4. Nguyễn Thị Hoa, Đoàn Thu Hòa, Hà Trần Hưng. Đặc điểm lâm sàng, cận lâm sàng của bệnh nhân ngộ độc cấp paracetamol liều rất cao. VMJ. 2024. 534(2), 127-131, doi: 10.51298/vmj.v534i2.8150.
5. Offor SJ, Amadi CN, Chijioke-Nwauche I, Manautou JE, Orisakwe OE. Potential deleterious effects of paracetamol dose regime used in Nigeria versus that of the United States of America. Toxicol Rep. 2022. 9, 1035-1044, doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.04.025.
6. Almohammed BA. Frequency and Knowledge of Analgesics Self-Use and Their Adverse Effects in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2023. 15(1), 1-9, doi:
10.7759/cureus.33344.
7. Abdullah RR, Abdulkader MA, Ahmed SA, Ali DJ, Shareef LS, et al. Self-medication with Analgesics among Medical And Pharmacy Students of University of Duhok - Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The Journal of the University of Duhok. 2021. 24(1), 32-38, doi: 10.26682/sjuod.2021.24.1.5.
8. Elghazaly A, Alsahali S, Farooqui M, Ibrahim N, Alshammari M, et al. A Cross-Sectional Study to Investigate the Prevalence of Self-Medication of Non-Opioid Analgesics Among Medical Students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2023. 17, 1371-1379, doi: 10.2147/PPA.S407693.
9. Al Essa M, Alshehri A, Alzahrani M, Bustami R, Adnan S, et al. Practices, awareness and attitudes toward selfmedication of analgesics among health sciences students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J. 2019. 27(2), 235-239, doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2018.11.004.
10. Mehuys E, Crombez G, Paemeleire K, Adriaens K, Van Bortel L, et al. Self-Medication with Over-the-Counter Analgesics: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Concerns About Pain Medication. J Pain. 2019. 20(2), 215-223, doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.09.003.
11. Samorek W, Przylepa J, Urbaniak J, Rogala A, Pilimon A, et al. Assessment of Preferences in Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy: A Pilot Study. Healthcare. 2024. 12(2), 196, doi: 10.3390/healthcare12020196.