Factors influencing self-medication among medical students

a narrative review

Authors

  • Júlia Régia IMEPAC University Center
  • Elaine Angelica IMEPAC University Center
  • Kethelyn IMEPAC University Center
  • Mak Alisson IMEPAC University Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47224/revistamaster.v10i19.608

Keywords:

1. Self-medication;, 2. Students;, 3. Medicine;, 4. Health.

Abstract

Self-medication (SM) consists of obtaining and using medicines without medical advice in order to treat self-diagnosed illnesses. This practice can have serious health consequences, alter diagnoses and promote drug resistance, among other factors. In view of this, this study aims to carry out a qualitative narrative review, analyzing the factors that influence self-medication in medical students. The following descriptors were used: "self medication", "students", "medicine" and "health", searched in the ScienceDirect, PubMed, Periódico Capes and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde(BVS) databases, from 2018 to 2023, in order to include publications in English and Portuguese.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Júlia Régia, IMEPAC University Center

She is a second-year medical student at the Presidente Antonio Carlos Master Teaching Institution (IMEPAC) in Araguari, MG. She is a member of the First Aid Academic League (LAPS). She is secretary of the Palliative Care Academic League (LACP). She is currently carrying out a research project at the Basic Health Unit-Gutierrez, Araguari, with the aim of studying the incidence of insomnia, depression and anxiety in climacteric women

Elaine Angelica, IMEPAC University Center

She has a degree in Chemistry (Licenciatura and Bacharelado) from the Federal University of Uberlândia (2010), a master's degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Uberlândia (2013) and a doctorate in Biofuels from the Federal University of Uberlândia (2017). Her work focuses on the use of lignocellulosic waste, especially the characterization and production of cellulosic polymers for the production of membranes for separation processes and for the treatment of industrial and domestic effluents by coagulation/flocculation. She is currently a second-year medical student at the IMEPAC University Center.

Kethelyn, IMEPAC University Center

She is a second year medical student at Centro Universitário IMEPAC

Mak Alisson, IMEPAC University Center

I have an academic career dedicated to teaching, research and clinical practice in the field of Psychology and its interfaces with health. I began my career with a degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU (2013), where I also completed a Master's degree in Psychology. Later, I obtained my doctorate from the Postgraduate Program in Clinical Psychology and Culture at the University of Brasília - UnB (2020). Throughout my career, I have worked as a substitute teacher at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro - UFTM (2016-2018) and as a designated teacher at the State University of Minas Gerais - UEMG, Ituiutaba unit. I am currently a lecturer at the IMEPAC University Center, teaching on the Medicine and Psychology courses.

References

AHMAD, S.; BABAR, M. S.; ESSAR, M. Y.; SINHA, M.; NADKAR, A. Infodemic, self-medication and stockpiling: a worrying combination. East Mediterr Health Journal, v. 27, n. 5, p. 438-440, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.21.010

AKANDE-SHOLABI, W.; AMAJU, A. T.; ADISA, R. Prevalence, knowledge and perception of self-medication practice among undergraduate healthcare students. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, v. 14, n. 1, p. 1-11, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-021-00331-w

AL-QAHTANI, A. M.; SHAIKH, I. A.; SHAIKH, M. A. K.; MANNASAHEB, B. A.; AL-QAHTANI, F. S. Prevalence, Perception, and Practice, and Attitudes Towards Self-Medication Among Undergraduate Medical Students of Najran University, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, v. 15, n.16, p. 257-276, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S346998

ALESSANDRINI, L. M.; PAIM, R. S. P. Automedicação em acadêmicos de enfermagem: uma revisão de literatura. Anais - VII Congresso de Pesquisa e Extensão da FSG da FSG, Caixas do Sul/RS, v. 7, n. 7, 2019.

ALSWAYED, K. E.; ALSHUAIBI, S. K.; ALSAYEGH, H. A.; SHULHUB, A. S. B.; ALSULTAN, R. M.; ALKHUDHAIR, M. R.; HADDAD, B. A. Medical and nonmedical use of psychiatric medications among medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, v.11, p. 1455-1461, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1720_21

ARAIA, Z. Z.; GEBREGZIABHER, N. K.; MESFUN, A. B. Self medication practice and associated factors among students of Asmara College of Health Sciences, Eritrea: a cross sectional study. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, v. 12, p. 1-9, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-019-0165-2

AYALEW, M. B. Self-medication practice in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Patient Preference and Adherence, v. 11, p. 401–413, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S131496

BADIGER, S.; KUNDAPUR, R.; JAIN, A.; KUMAR, A.; PATTANSHETTY, S. Self‐medication patterns among medical students in South India. Australasian Medical Journal, v. 5, n. 4, p. 217‐220, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4066/AMJ.2012.1007

BANDA, O.; VLAHASKI, P. A.; DAKA, V.; MATAFWALI, S. K. Self-medication among medical students at the Copperbelt University, Zambia: A cross-sectional study. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, v. 29, n. 11, p. 1233-1237, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2021.10.005

BEHZADIFAR, M.; BEHZADIFAR, M.; ARYANKHESAL, A.; RAVAGHI, H.; BARADARAN, H. R.; SAJADI, H. S.; KHAZARIAN, M.; BRAGAZZI, N. L. Prevalence of self-medication in university students: systematic review and meta-analysis. East Mediterr Health J, v. 26, n. 7, p. 846-57, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.20.052

DE BRITO, M. C.; CASTILHO, C. T. Perfil da prática da automedicação por estudantes de medicina Overview of the practice of self-medication by medical students. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, v.4, n. 5, p. 18862-18875, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv4n5-032

CARNEIRO, A. F.; NETO, P. G. C.; FERREIRA, J. F. I. S.; GARCIA, B. F.; SILVA, F. D. A. C.; LEAL, P. R. L. A prevalência de cefaleia e fatores psicossociais associados em estudantes de medicina no Ceará. Revista de Medicina, v. 98 n. 3, p. 168-179, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1679-9836.v98i3p168-179

CHINDHALORE, C. A.; DAKHALE, G. N.; GIRADKAR, A. B. Comparison of self‑medication practices with analgesics among undergraduate medical and paramedical students of a tertiary care teaching institute in Central India – A questionnaire‑based study. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, v. 26, n. 9, 309-314, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_378_20

DAANISH, A. F.; MUSHKANI, E. A. Influence of medical education on medicine use and self-medication among medical students: A cross-sectional study from Kabul. Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety, p. 79-85, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/DHPS.S360072

GRAS, M.; CHAMPEL, V.; MASMOUDI, K.; LIABEUF, S. Self-medication practices and their characteristics among French university students. Therapie, v. 75, n. 5, p. 419-428, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therap.2020.02.019

JANATOLMAKAN, M.; ABDI, A.; ANDAYESHGAR, B.; SOROUSH, A.; KHATONY, A. The Reasons for Self-Medication from the Perspective of Iranian Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study. Nursing Research and Practice, v. 6, p. 1-7, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2960768

KHADKA, S.; SHRESTHA, O.; KOIRALA, G.; ACHARYA, U.; ADHIKARI, G. Health seeking behavior and self-medication practice among undergraduate medical students of a teaching hospital: A cross-sectional study. Annals of Medicine & Surgery, v. 78, p. 1-7, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103776

LÁZARO, C. A.; GASPARINI, M. M.; MUNIZ, M. L.; MARTINS, C. D. M.; MAIA, T. A. A. Investigação sobre a automedicação dos estudantes do curso de medicina de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior. Research, Society and Development, v. 9, n. 4, p. e90942836, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i4.2836

MEDEIROS, I. M.; DE ARAÚJO, B. R.; GOMEZ, L. F. B. A automedicação em estudantes de medicina: uma revisão sistemática. Scientia Naturalis, v. 4, n. 2, p. 685- 695, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29327/269504.4.2-20

MELO, J. R. R.; DUARTE, E. C.; MORAES, M. V.; FLECK, K.; ARRAIS, P. S. D. Automedicação e uso indiscriminado de medicamentos durante a pandemia da Covid-19. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, v. 37, n. 4, p. 1-5, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311x00053221

DE MORAES, L. G. M.; BERNARDINA, L. S. D.; ANDRIATO, L. C.; DALVI, L. R.; LOYOLA, Y. C. S. Automedicação em acadêmicos de Medicina. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Clínica Médica, v. 16, n. 3, p. 167-170, 2018.

NABI, N.; BALUJA, Z.; MUKHERJEE, S.; KOHL, S. Trends in practices of self-medication with antibiotics among medical undergraduates in India. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, v. 14, n. 1, p. 19, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_17_21

PILGER, M. C.; DOMBROWSKI, G.; REBELO, M.; TOMASI, E. Automedicação entre acadêmicos de medicina das Universidades Católica e Federal de Pelotas/RS. Revista da AMRIGS. Porto Alegre, v. 60, n. 1, p. 26-31, 2016.

PISMEL, L. S.; MONTALVÃO, W. C. R.; SILVA, A. R.; OLIVEIRA, N. P.; ARGENTINO, S. Avaliação da automedicação entre estudantes de medicina de uma universidade pública do sudeste do Pará. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, v. 4, n. 2, p. 5034-5050, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv4n2-082

PRÍNCIPE, F.; OLIVEIRA, A.; SILVA, C.; SILVA, D.; SILVA, D.; SILVA, T. Automedicação nos estudantes do ensino superior da saúde. Revista de Investigação & Inovação em Saúde, v.3, n.2, p. 21-28, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37914/riis.v3i2.82

RAMADAN, B. Knowledge and attitude of medical students toward self-medication. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology - Journal de La Therapeutique Des Populations et de La Pharmacologie Clinique, v. 28, n. 2, p. e83-e91, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47750/jptcp.2022.862

SANTOS, R. D.; RÊGO, R. C. S.; SANTOS, V. L. B.; PRADO, M. R. Prevalência de cefaleia e seus impactos em estudantes de medicina em uma universidade pública. Revista Brasileira de Neurologia, v. 55, n. 3, p. 5-8, 2019.

SHARMA, N.; JAIN, M.; SHARMA, P.; JAIN, C.; BANSAL, A.; SHARMA, L.; ADVANI, U. Prevalence of self‑medication of antibiotics among 2nd‑year medical students and their knowledge about antibiotic resistance. International Journal of Academic Medicine, v. 6, n. 3, p. 203-208, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/IJAM.IJAM_13_20

SHAWI, A. F. A.; ALI, A. F.; ENAD, M. M.; SALIH, J. A. Self-medication among medical students in Anbar and Fallujah Universities – Iraq. Journal of the Faculty of Medicine Baghdad, v. 60, n. 3, p. 156-159, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32007/med.1936/jfacmedbagdad.v60i3.7

SHRESTHA, D.; BARAKOTI, A.; GURUNG, R. S.; PAUDEL, R.; SAPKOTA, J.; DEO, S. Antibiotics Self-Medication Practice Among Medical Students. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, v. 19, n. 52, p. 613-617, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v19i3.3816

SHRESTHA, R.; BHANDARI, M. S.; SHRESTHA, S. S.; SHRESTHA, J. T. M.; SHRESTHA, U. Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Undergraduate Students in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. Journal Nepal Medical Association, v. 60, n. 256, p. 1011-1015, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.7816

SILVA, R. C. G.; OLIVEIRA, T. M.; CASIMIRO, T. S.; VIEIRA, K. A. M.; TARDIVO, M. T.; FARIA- JR, M.; RESTINI, C. B. A. Automedicação em acadêmicos do curso de medicina. Medicina (RibeirãoPreto), v. 45, n. 1, p. 5-11, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.v45i1p5-11

TAMEEZ-UD-DIN, A.; MALIK, I. J.; BHATTI, A. A.; DIN, A. T. U.;

SADIQ, A.; KHAN, M. T.; CHAUDHARY, N. A.; ARSHAD, D. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Self-medication for Acne Among Medical Students. Cureus, v. 11, n. 8, p. 1-8, 2019.

TESFAYE, Z. T.; ASRAT, E. E.; YIMER, B. T. Self-Medication among Medical and Nonmedical Students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Scientifica, v. 12 p. 1-5, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4021586

TOGNOLI, T. A.; TAVARES, V. O.; RAMOS, A. P. D.; BATIGÁLIA, F.; DE GODOY, J. M. P.; RAMOS, R. R. Automedicação entre acadêmicos de medicina de Fernandópolis–São Paulo. Journal of Health & Biological Sciences, v. 7, n. 4, p. 382-386, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12662/2317-3076jhbs.v7i4.2571.p382-386.2019

VARGAS, M. E. C.; SILVEIRA, A. P. V.; CECÍLIO, S. G.; PEREIRA, L. M. O.; TARANTO, M. F. R.; COELHO, J. C. O.; SANTOS, L. E. C.; CECÍLIO, S. G. Fatores de risco para automedicação: uma revisão integrativa. Research, Society and Development, v. 11, n. 9, p. e52811932188-e52811932188, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i9.32188

YASMIN, F.; ASGHAR, M. S.; NAEEM, U.; NAJEEB, H.; NAUMAN, H; AHSAN, M. N.; KHATTAK, A. K. Self-Medication Practices in Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, v. 10, p. 1-12, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.803937

YOUSEF, A-M. M.; AL-BAKRI, A.G.; BUSTANJI, Y.; WAZAIFY, M. Self-medication patterns in Amman, Jordan. Pharmacy World & Science, v. 30, p. 24-30, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-007-9135-x

ZERU, N.; FETENE, D.; GEBERU, D. M.; MELESSE, A. W.; ATNAFU, A. Self-Medication Practice and Associated Factors Among University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Patient Prefer Adherence, v. 14, p. 1779-1790, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S274634

Downloads

Published

2025-08-08

How to Cite

VIEIRA RAMOS, J. R. .; MUNDIM RIBEIRO, E. A.; SANTANA NOBREGA FARCHE, K.; BORGES DE MORAES, M. A. Factors influencing self-medication among medical students: a narrative review. Revista Master - Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão, [S. l.], v. 10, n. 19, 2025. DOI: 10.47224/revistamaster.v10i19.608. Disponível em: https://revistamaster.emnuvens.com.br/RM/article/view/608. Acesso em: 14 oct. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 19 (2025): Revista Master - Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão

Section

Artigos de revisão

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Master - Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão

Creative Commons License

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

Política para Periódicos de Acesso Livre

Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:

a) A licença desses direitos autorais abrange o direito exclusivo da Revista Master - Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão para reproduzir, publicar e distribuir o artigo,
nacional e internacionalmente, incluindo reimpressões, traduções, reproduções fotográficas, microformas, formulários eletrônicos (offline, on-line) ou qualquer outra reprodução de natureza similar.

b) O (s) autor (es) aprovam que o manuscrito não pode ser retirado ou reenviado para qualquer outro Jornal/Revista enquanto a avaliação pelos pares estiver em andamento. Após aprovado o manuscrito, um autor pode auto-arquivar uma versão de seu artigo em seu próprio site e/ou em seu repositório institucional.

c) O (s) autor (es) declaram que são integralmente responsáveis pela totalidade do conteúdo da contribuição  e que a Revista Master - Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão e o corpo editorial da Revista Científica do estão expressamente isentos de qualquer responsabilidade sobre o conteúdo do artigo, métodos, técnicas e resultados de sua pesquisa, tendo, assim, finalidade meramente informativa e educativa.

d) Autores têm autorização para assumir contratos adicionais separadamente, para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista (ex.: publicar em repositório institucional ou como capítulo de livro), com reconhecimento de autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.