Evaluation of attitude and practice of students of Yazd University of Medical Sciences to self-medication.

Background: There are not any drugs without side effects. Additional consumption and selfmedication
of drugs increases the side effects of drugs and most drugs have un towards side effects
on liver and kidney. The purpose of this study was determining the opinion and practice of students
of medical university of Yazd on self-medication and self-consumption of drugs without inscription
of physicians.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out on 193 students of
medical university of Yazd. The samples were selected randomly from 5 faculties of university. The
data were collected by a questionnaire. For analyzing the data, we used the chi-square test and
correlation coefficient Pearson’s.
Results: The prevalence of self-medication in students was more than 85%.This rate in men was
more than women. The mean score of attitude of students was related to A question, about softy of
drugs. Some factors that had influence on self-medication and self consumption were: not having
the time for visiting physician, believed that drugs do not have remarkable side effects, as well as
selling the drugs without the inscription by pharmacies.
Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication among the students was very high and a program
for changing the attitude and the habits of students with regard to self medication is highly
recommended.