title: Prevalence of self-medication among university students in Baghdad: a cross-sectional study from Iraq.
abstract: The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and determinants of self-medication among college students in Baghdad, Iraq. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Al-Mustansiriyah and Al-Nahrain universities, Baghdad, from January to April 2015. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 1435 college students using a questionnaire form. The mean age of the joining students was 19.8 years. Females form 53% of the sample. Self-medications use was prevalent among 92.4% of students. Antipyretics and antibiotics were the most used medicines. Self-medication was higher among urban residents (OR= 7.99, P < 0.001). Students living with their families practiced self-medication more than others (OR= 2.501, P = 0.037). Students at health-related colleges showed greater resilience to self-medication (OR=0.455, P = 0.001). Despite free access to healthcare institutions, nine out of ten college students from Baghdad universities have practiced self-medication. Education of students about the safe use of medications and supervision of pharmacies are effective ways to control this malpractice.
authors.affiliation: Al-Dora Health-Care Centre for Family Medicine, Al-Karkh Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: Rawa J K
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Al-Ameri
authors.affiliation: Noncommunicable Diseases Control Department, Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: Husham J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Abd Al-Badri
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: Riyadh K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lafta
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult