Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{206509,
        author = {Dr. Amrapali Nikalje and Dr. Satish Bahekar and Dr. Venkatesh Khadke},
        title = {Study of Knowledge, Attitude & Practice of Self-Medication Among 2nd Year MBBS Students at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Maharashtra},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {1769-1773},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206509},
        abstract = {Background: Self-medication involves individuals selecting and using medications to treat self-recognized illnesses without professional consultation. In developing nations like India, this practice is a significant driver of irrational drug use, raising serious public health concerns regarding adverse events and antimicrobial resistance. Medical students represent a particularly vulnerable cohort, as they acquire early pharmacological knowledge but often lack clinical training.
Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 95 second-year MBBS students at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Maharashtra. A validated Google Forms questionnaire evaluated their knowledge, attitude, and practice parameter sets. Data were compiled and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Among the 95 respondents, the primary age bracket was 20–22 years (74.7%), with a demographic split of 61.1% males and 38.9% females. The primary source of information driving self-medication was internet sources (50.5%), followed by seniors and peers (25.3%). The primary clinical complaints triggering self-medication were cold and fever (72.9% each) and cough (61.2%). Paracetamol was the most frequently utilized therapeutic agent (68.6%), while Azithromycin was the most common antibiotic misused (7.0%). Prominent adverse events included nausea and vomiting (61.35%).
Conclusion: Self-medication is highly prevalent among second-year medical students, driven heavily by online channels and peer networks. Although basic pharmacological knowledge exists, there is an urgent need to mandate educational interventions regarding the hazards of self-treatment, particularly antimicrobial misuse, to foster rational prescribing behavior in future physicians.},
        keywords = {Self Medication, Over the Counter Drugs, Prescription drugs,},
        month = {July},
        }