Assessment of Students at Pharmacy Colleges in the Kolhapur District of Maharashtra, India, in Terms of their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) towards Responsible Self-Medication

Abstract

Aim/Background:This cross-sectional study aims to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of pharmacy students regarding responsible self-medication.Materials and Methods: The study involved 129 pharmacy students from various colleges in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, India. The participants completed a prevalidated KAP questionnaire on appropriate self-medication. The data collected were analyzed using statistical tests, and correlations between various factors were determined.Results: Out of the 129 participants, 78 (60.46%) were between the ages of 20 and 25. Of the total participants, 31% had a diploma, 80.16% had a bachelor’s, and 6.9% had a masters. The results indicated that 43.41% of the participants had good knowledge of responsible self-medication, 96.89% had a positive attitude, and 89.14% had engaged in appropriate self-medication. The study also found significant correlations between good knowledge and sensible application of responsible self-medication and the participant’s age, pharmacy division, place of living, and parents’ occupation (p< 0.05).Conclusion: The study concludes that pharmacy students have a positive attitude toward responsible self-medication, but some of them lack knowledge and practice of responsible self-medication. The findings suggest that pharmacy education should focus on enhancing students’ knowledge and practical skills related to responsible self-medication.

Keywords: Self Medication; Pharmacy students; OTC drugs etc