SELF–MEDICATION AMONG DENTAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH ANTIBIOTICS: LOOKING BEYOND THE KNOWN

摘要

Introduction: Though self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a potential contributor to resistance among pathogenic organisms to antibiotics, very few studies have evaluated pattern and prevalence of SMA among dental students. Objective: The study was conducted to compare features of practice of SMA among second year undergraduate dental students and BDS students pursuing internship (interns) of a North Indian dental college. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, anonymous, descriptive study with a six-month illness recall. Dental undergraduate students were administered a questionnaire consisting of both open and close-ended questions regarding various aspects of self- medication with antibiotics. The students were categorized into two groups for the comparative study. Group 1 comprised BDS second year students who were unexposed to pharmacology subject and Group 2 comprised interns possessing a sound knowledge of pharmacology. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants. Comparison between the two groups was done by chi-square test. Results: A total of 150 respondents participated in the study. 51.3% (n=39) students in group1 and 74.3% (n=55) students in group 2 had self-medicated in the last six months, the antibiotics most commonly used being amoxicillin (53.8%vs.29.1)and azithromycin (34.5%vs.28.2%).The most common indications for SMA included common-cold, cough and sore throat, fever and diarrhea. Most of the respondents procured antibiotics from pharmacies (68.4% vs.85.1%) after consulting previous prescription or parents. Conclusion: SMA was significantly higher and inappropriate in the senior dental undergraduate cohort compared to the junior cohort, calling for effective interventional strategies to promote rational use of antibiotics.