E-ISSN 2367-699X | ISSN 2367-7414
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
13 / 08 / 2020

 


Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students

Rakan S. Alajmi, Yara E. Aljefri, Nada K. Naaman, Ali A. Alraddadi, Awadh M. Alamri.


Abstract
Objectives: Acne is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide. Acne self-medication was recognized to be a common practice among medical students. This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of acne self-medication among medical students, to identify the reasons, sources of information, types of medications, and to assess their knowledge, attitudes, practices towards acne self-medication
Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted at College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire was sent to medical students in their 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th academic year of medical school.
Results: A total of 249 pre-clinical and clinical years medical students completed the questionnaire. 178 (71.5%) medical students had experienced or were diagnosed with acne, 126 (70.8%) of whom, practiced self-medication to treat acne. Female students practiced self-medication significantly more than male students (P <0.001). The most common reason for self-medication was mildness of acne. Drug advertisement/internet/media was the most common source of information. Allopathic medications were the most common medication type used.
Conclusion: Acne self-medication is highly prevalent among medical students. Self-mediation, when rationally practiced, can be beneficial for minor symptoms. However, irrational practice of self-medication is associated with many drawbacks like drug resistance, polypharmacy, and drug side effects. Medical studentsÂ’ knowledge towards acne self-medication mandates further awareness to prevent such a harmful practice.

Key words: Acne Vulgaris, Self-medication, Medical students.


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Rakan S. Alajmi
Articles by Yara E. Aljefri
Articles by Nada K. Naaman
Articles by Ali A. Alraddadi
Articles by Awadh M. Alamri
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alajmi RS, Aljefri YE, Naaman NK, Alraddadi AA, Alamri AM. Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. Int J Surg Med. 2020; 6(5): 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma


Web Style

Alajmi RS, Aljefri YE, Naaman NK, Alraddadi AA, Alamri AM. Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. https://www.ejos.org/?mno=5338 [Access: February 19, 2024]. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alajmi RS, Aljefri YE, Naaman NK, Alraddadi AA, Alamri AM. Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. Int J Surg Med. 2020; 6(5): 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alajmi RS, Aljefri YE, Naaman NK, Alraddadi AA, Alamri AM. Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. Int J Surg Med. (2020), [cited February 19, 2024]; 6(5): 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



Harvard Style

Alajmi, R. S., Aljefri, . Y. E., Naaman, . N. K., Alraddadi, . A. A. & Alamri, . A. M. (2020) Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. Int J Surg Med, 6 (5), 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



Turabian Style

Alajmi, Rakan S., Yara E. Aljefri, Nada K. Naaman, Ali A. Alraddadi, and Awadh M. Alamri. 2020. Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 6 (5), 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



Chicago Style

Alajmi, Rakan S., Yara E. Aljefri, Nada K. Naaman, Ali A. Alraddadi, and Awadh M. Alamri. "Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 6 (2020), 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alajmi, Rakan S., Yara E. Aljefri, Nada K. Naaman, Ali A. Alraddadi, and Awadh M. Alamri. "Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 6.5 (2020), 5-10. Print. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alajmi, R. S., Aljefri, . Y. E., Naaman, . N. K., Alraddadi, . A. A. & Alamri, . A. M. (2020) Acne Self-medication among Pre-clinical and Clinical Years Medical Students. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 6 (5), 5-10. doi:10.5455/ijsm.2020-07-050-derma