KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY

Background: Self-medication is a common practice among medical students due to their exposure to pharmacological knowledge and easy access to drugs. This reflects a gap between knowledge and behavior driven by perceived convenience and confidence in their medical knowledge. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of self-medication among undergraduate medical students using a structured questionnaire. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire on 150 medical students. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to identify trends and associations between demographic variables and self-medication practices. Results: 78% of the students reported practicing self-medication. Most had adequate knowledge but showed casual attitudes. Common drugs used included antipyretics, analgesics, antacids, and antibiotics. 46% were unaware of the potential dangers of self-medication, such as adverse drug reactions and antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: Educational strategies must be implemented to promote rational and responsible drug use among medical students.