Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on Self-medication among Nursing Students of Northern Border University: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Since the 1990s, healthcare practices have increasingly shifted toward a self-directed approach, with individuals taking more responsibility for managing their health. This trend has been driven by rising healthcare costs, long waiting times for professional care, and the widespread availability of over-the-counter medications. Organizations such as the World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI), the International Pharmaceutical Federation, and the World Health Organization have advocated responsible self-medication, emphasizing its benefits for managing minor health concerns efficiently. However, this practice also carries significant risks, including drug misuse, polypharmacy, and the potential worsening of undiagnosed conditions. In Saudi Arabia, self-medication is particularly common among health science students, who often self-diagnose and use medications without consulting healthcare professionals. Studies show that this convenience-focused behavior can lead to delayed medical treatment and increased medication misuse. For instance, the easy accessibility of health information through the internet has contributed to growing confidence in self-management, further fueling this trend. These behaviors highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the factors influencing self-medication to ensure its safe and responsible use. Methods: This study examined self-medication practices among 150 nursing students at Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia. Participants were selected based on their relevance to the study, given their healthcare-related knowledge and access to medications.  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of self-medication among nursing students at Northern Border University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Data collection focused on demographics, self-medication practices, attitudes, and knowledge. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, medians, and standard deviations, were employed to summarize the data and identify key trends. Result: Most participants were single females (75.3%), aged 18–25, with most being full-time students (72%). Academic year distribution showed 37.3% were third-year students, followed by 33.3% in their fourth year. Regarding practices, 39.3% consulted doctors only occasionally, and 38.7% reported obtaining medications without prescriptions in less than half of cases. Analgesics were the most frequently self-medicated drugs (86.7%), followed by antihistamines (44%), decongestants (38%), and cough suppressants/expectorants (42%). Common reasons for self-medication included managing symptoms (56.7%), prior knowledge of illnesses (44.7%), and preventive measures (45.3%). Median scores indicated positive attitudes (21.88±4.70) and knowledge (23.10±4.50) toward self-medication, though higher knowledge did not predict safer practices. These findings highlight the prevalence of self-medication among nursing students and the need for targeted educational interventions to promote responsible practices. Conclusion: Nursing students showed good knowledge and positive attitudes toward self-medication, but this did not lead to safer practices. This highlights the need for nursing education to focus on practical skills, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. Adding targeted training and public health initiatives to the curriculum can help promote safer self-medication practices. While self-medication can be beneficial for minor health issues, misuse can lead to health risks. Also, this study calls for public awareness campaigns and better regulation of over-the-counter drugs and it emphasizes the role of healthcare professionals and pharmacists in guiding students toward safe self-medication practices.