Prevalence, Patterns, and Adverse Consequences of Self-Medication Among University Students in India: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Self-medication among university students represents a growing public health concern, particularly in developing nations where access to healthcare may be limited. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we investigated the prevalence, patterns, and adverse consequences of self-medication among university students in India. A structured questionnaire was administered to 300 students recruited through convenience sampling. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages. Our results revealed that a substantial majority of respondents—67.0% (n = 201)—reported engaging in self-medication. Among these, 29.3% (n = 88) experienced adverse side effects following self-medication, while 70.7% (n = 212) reported no such consequences. The demographic profile indicated that male students formed the largest group at 44.0% (n = 132), followed by female students at 39.3% (n = 118) and other gender categories at 16.7% (n = 50). The most represented age group was 21–23 years (41.3%, n = 124). This study contributes to the existing literature by providing contemporary, localized evidence on self-medication behavior in a university context. The findings highlight a high prevalence of self-medication coupled with a clinically significant rate of adverse effects. Therefore, the novelty of this work lies in its direct implication for public health policy: it underscores an urgent need for targeted educational interventions and rational drug-use campaigns within academic institutions. By promoting responsible medication practices, such initiatives can mitigate the risks of inappropriate drug use and improve health outcomes among young adults in India.