A cross-sectional study on self-medication practice and attitude towards self-medication among medical students of GMERS Medical College, Valsad

Background: Self-medication is becoming a most prevalent practice among educated people across the world. In today’s era, internet and media is one of the most important sources for promoting self-medication practice. Medical students are highly influenced with this practice as their future medical preference and the fact that medical students find themselves having more knowledge about drugs this may lead to irrational usage of drugs. Aim and Objectives of the study were conducted to know the 1. Self-medication practices among medical students 2. Common, indications and reasons for self-medication practice. 3.Attitude of medical students towards self-medication practice.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of GMERS Medical College Valsad. The study was carried out in the months of October to December 2017. Medical students of first and final year MBBS participated voluntarily in this study after being briefed in detail about the goals & method of the study.Results: In this study, 91.50% of medical students were practiced self-medication. The common indication for self-medication was fever (76.50%) and cough (75.96%). Acquaintances (67.76%) are main source of information for self-medication. Common reasons they know the medicine (78.14%) and previous exposure (64.48%). 12.5% student perceived self-medication is harmless and 21.0% of medical students advise other to take self-medication.Conclusions: It was concluded that more than half of strength of students practice self-medication for various illnesses; the reason might be the awareness of drugs due to easy accessibility of information through books, internet as well as availability of medicine without prescription from pharmacist. So, essential measure should be taken to reduce the practice of self-medication among students to avoid development of drug dependence, resistance and drug interactions

A cross sectional study on menstruation and menstrual hygiene among medical students of Valsad, Gujarat

Background: In many developing countries, a culture of silence surrounds the topic of menstruation and menstruation related issues, as results many young girls lack appropriate and sufficient information regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. This may result in incorrect and unhealthy behavior during their menstrual period So, Good hygienic practices such as the use of sanitary pads and adequate washing of genital area are essential during menstruation.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among medical students of GMERS Medical College, Valsad. A total 203 girls of first, second and third MBBS medical students between age group of 16-22 years were participated in this study. Data was collected by using pre-designed, pre-tested Questionnaire. The data was entered and analyzed by using Microsoft excel 2010 and appropriate statistical test were applied.Results: Out of 203 Girls 84.24% girls had knowledge about menstruation before they experienced first menstruation (menarche) and Mother was found to be the main source of information. Mean age of menarche was 14.5 years.  86.70% girls use sanitary napkins where as 13.3% girls use clothes and reuse them. Most of the girls perceive that sanitary napkin is comfortable and cause adequate absorption but having disadvantage of an expensive and not being easily available at all places.Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene is a vital aspect of health education for all adolescent girls as it related with health consequences. More number of girls in the urban area was using commercially available sanitary pads as compare to the rural girls. To improve the menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls sanitary napkins should be made universally available at affordable price

Title of article: a cross sectional study on menstruation and menstrual hygiene among medical students of Valsad, Gujarat

Background: In many developing countries, a culture of silence surrounds the topic of menstruation and menstruation related issues, as results many young girls lack appropriate and sufficient information regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. This may result in incorrect and unhealthy behavior during their menstrual period So, Good hygienic practices such as the use of sanitary pads and adequate washing of genital area are essential during menstruation.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among medical students of GMERS Medical College, Valsad. A total 203 girls of first, second and third MBBS medical students between age group of 16-22 years were participated in this study. Data was collected by using pre-designed, pre-tested Questionnaire. The data was entered and analyzed by using Microsoft excel 2010 and appropriate statistical test were applied.Results: Out of 203 Girls 84.24% girls had knowledge about menstruation before they experienced first menstruation (menarche) and Mother was found to be the main source of information. Mean age of menarche was 14.5 years.  86.70% girls use sanitary napkins where as 13.3% girls use clothes and reuse them. Most of the girls perceive that sanitary napkin is comfortable and cause adequate absorption but having disadvantage of an expensive and not being easily available at all places.Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene is a vital aspect of health education for all adolescent girls as it related with health consequences. More number of girls in the urban area was using commercially available sanitary pads as compare to the rural girls. To improve the menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls sanitary napkins should be made universally available at affordable price