Advance Search

Exploring self-medication behaviors among pharmacy and medical students: a regional cross-sectional survey

Darya Salih Hussein
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Cihan University-Duhok, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Zana Sabri
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Duhok- Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Keywords:
Copyright and Licensing:

Copyright (c) 2026 Darya Salih Hussein , Zana Sabri (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Share:
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

Background and objective: Self-medication (SM) is an increasing global concern, particularly among pharmacy and medical students. This group often has early access to medical knowledge and prescription drugs, which may lead to inappropriate medication practices. Understanding their behavior is crucial to addressing potential risks associated with SM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, causes, and patterns of self-medication among pharmacy and medical students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Methods: A total of 106 pharmacy and medical students from different medical schools in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data on demographics, self-medication habits, reasons for use, symptoms treated, and medication types were gathered using a structured questionnaire.

Results: Of the 106 participants, 68 (64.2%) were female and 90 (84.9%) were undergraduate students. Most students fell within the 18–27 age range. A total of 85 students (80.5%) reported using self-medication for acute pain, while only 21 (19.5%) used it for chronic conditions. The most common symptoms treated were headache, runny nose, and cough (38.7%). Menstrual issues were also frequently reported among female students (16%).

Conclusion: Kurdistan's medical students frequently use SM, mostly for minor acute ailments. Even though this practice is not as dangerous as when seen among licensed physicians, it nevertheless raises health concerns. Educational activities are required to encourage appropriate SM and increase awareness of its possible hazards.

PDF
PDF

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

  1. Alves RF, Precioso J, Becoña E. Knowledge, attitudes and practice of self-medication among university students in Portugal: a cross-sectional study. Nord Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2021;38(1):50-65. https://doi.org/10.1177/1455072520965017
  2. Abdulrahman IA, Saleh AM. Assessment of pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward over-the-counter medications in Erbil city: a cross-sectional study. Zanco J Med Sci. 2026;30(1):121-34. https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2026.009
  3. Limaye D, Saeed F, Health MA. Self-medication practices among university students from Karachi, Pakistan. Int J Community Med Public Health. 2018;5(7):2672-85. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173635
  4. Rathod P, Sharma S, Ukey U, Sonpimpale B, Ughade S, Narlawar U, et al. Prevalence, pattern, and reasons for self-medication: a community-based cross-sectional study from central India. Cureus. 2023;15(1):e33917. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33917
  5. Saeed KK, Ali BM, Sanaan RH. Use of over-the-counter medication among pregnant women in Duhok City. Adv Med J. 2022;7(1):24-32. https://doi.org/10.56056/amj.2022.155
  6. Ghashghaee A, Ghasemyani S, RoohravanBenis M, Hosseinifard H, Jahangiri R, Aryankhesal A, et al. Global, WHO regional, and continental prevalence of self-medication from 2000 to 2018: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Public Health. 2022;2022:637-8. https://doi.org/10.55085/aph.2022.585
  7. Sivaperumal S, Pillai BS. Knowledge and practice of over-the-counter drugs among teachers of selected schools in Rajkot City. World J Pharm Res. 2025;14:1016. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.20.1.0720
  8. Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Trujillo-Moreno MJ, Pérez-Acosta AM, Feliciano-Alfonso JE, Calderon-Ospina CA, Soler F. Definition of self-medication: a scoping review. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2022;13:20420986221127501. https://doi.org/10.1177/20420986221127501
  9. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Regulatory Assessment of Medicinal Products for Use in Self-Medication. Geneva: WHO; 2002.
  10. Gras M, Champel V, Masmoudi K, Liabeuf S. Self-medication practices and their characteristics among French university students. Therapies. 2020;75(5):419-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therap.2020.02.019
  11. Mukadam FM, Gawali UP, Fehmi D, Mukadam M. Self-medication “Boon or Bane!!”: a cross-sectional survey of undergraduate medical students. J Pharm Care. 2024;12(2):137-43. https://doi.org/10.18502/jpc.v12i2.16192
  12. Kahnamouei-Aghdam F, Zakeri A, Amani F, Sajjadifar M, Mohammadi P, Ojaghi H. Self-medication prevalence and related factors among medical university students, 2015. Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol. 2017;6(2):373-6. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20170332
  13. Marouf BH, Saeed AGH, Othman ZK, Karim SA, Gharib SOM, Ahmed RMJ. Awareness and frequency of using lifestyle medications among university students in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Iraqi J Pharm Sci. 2023;32(1):185-93. https://doi.org/10.31351/vol32iss1pp185-193
  14. Shafie M, Eyasu M, Muzeyin K, Worku Y, Martín-Aragón S. Prevalence and determinants of self-medication practice among selected households in Addis Ababa community. PLoS One. 2018;13(3):e0194122. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194122
  15. Sridhar S, Shariff A, Dallah L, Anas D, Ayman M, Rao PM. Assessment of nature, reasons, and consequences of self-medication practice among the general population of Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2018;8(1):3-8.
  16. Singh RJ, Kohli K. Self-medication practices among MBBS students in North Indian medical college. Res J Pharm Technol. 2021;14(5):2653-8. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2021.00468
  17. Sajjad A, Majeed S, Rehman MU, Sarwar MS, Batool M, Ayoub A. Attitude and practices of self-medication among the students of Sialkot Medical College, Sialkot. Pak J Med Health Sci. 2023;17(4):138-40. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023174138
  18. Nasir M, Mannan M, Chowdhury AS, Zahan T, Perveen RA. Prevalence, pattern and impact of self-medication of anti-infective agents during COVID-19 outbreak in Dhaka City. Glob J Med Res. 2020;20(B7):1-8. https://doi.org/10.34257/GJMRBVOL20IS7PG1
  19. Al-Maaz S, Abu-Dahab R, Shawagfeh M, Wazaify M. Prevalence and pattern of substance use and misuse among anesthesia healthcare personnel in Jordan. J Subst Use. 2019;24(3):317-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2019.1570366
  20. Teixeira KH, Barbosa AL, Santana AL, Silva DIS, Santos RVC, Souza VCGB, et al. Self-medication: a study on motivational factors and consequences of this practice. Res Soc Dev. 2020;9(8):e161985608. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i8.5608
  21. Mateos-Mauricio FA. Self-medication with anxiolytics and antidepressants: main risk factors and repercussions. Mex J Med Res ICSA. 2024;12(23):6-13. https://doi.org/10.29057/mjmr.v12i23.11106
  22. Abdelmotalab MAA, Alhaj MMA, Eltaib MZA, Abd Alghafar MSE, Nour ASM, Ali HHM. Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of self-medication among medical students at Sudan International University, Sudan. Al-Kindy Coll Med J. 2023;19(1):57-61. https://doi.org/10.47723/kcmj.v19i1.873
  23. Khalid S, Khan AA, Sultana M. A cross sectional study to evaluate self-medication practice among medical students. Pak J Public Health. 2019;9(2):82-5. https://doi.org/10.32413/pjph.v9i2.385
How to Cite
Salih Hussein , D. ., & Sabri Qasim, Z. (2026). Exploring self-medication behaviors among pharmacy and medical students: a regional cross-sectional survey. Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (ZJMS), 684–692. https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2026.048

Send mail to Author

Send Cancel