Pattern and Attitudes of Self Medication among Nursing Students in Alexandria

Background: Self medication is a common practice worldwide and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern because of its serious implications. Aim of the study: was to assess pattern and attitudes of self medication among nursing students. Subjects & methods: Research design: An analytical design was used. Setting: Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University. Subjects: 440 undergraduate nursing students. Tool of data collection: One tool was used for data collection namely "nursing students' pattern and attitudes of self medication structured interview questionnaire" to identify data related to students’ socio-demographic characteristics, physical health status, health care services utilization as well as pattern of self medication. Additionally, nursing students' attitude towards self medication. Results: Findings of the present study revealed that the majority (82.3%) of the students were self medicated and more than one third (37%) of them had positive attitude towards self medication. Age, place of residence, presence of chronic diseases, availability and use of health services are determinants of self medication. Conclusion: The study concluded that self medication is prevalent problem among nursing students with multiple determinants such as students' gender, working status, place of residence, presence of chronic diseases, utilization and satisfaction of health services as well as attitude towards such practice. Recommendations: Educational campaigns are needed to raise the students' awareness towards the prevention and control of self-medication.