Keywords
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Self-Medication
Undergraduate
Abstract
Background: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) are commonly used analgesics among the public, secondary to paracetamol. Despite of its wide usage, the knowledge, attitude and practice on NSAID is yet to be determined among the first-year non-health science undergraduates in Klang Valley, Malaysia.Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of NSAID usage among the first-year non-health science undergraduates regarding selfmedication of NSAID.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adapted. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 402 first-year non-health science undergraduates from various universities located in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Undergraduates who were on long term usage of NSAID was excluded in the study and convenient sampling was incorporated.
Results: A total of 56.47% of participants showed low knowledge level towards NSAID and an average level of attitude (mean score: 20.16 ± 2.674) was obtained from the study. Up to 58.95% of participants were adherent towards the usage of NSAID according to advices given. The result further showed significant association between the education stream and their attitude (p=0.012), as well as between the ethnicity and their practice level (p=0.025).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the level of knowledge of NSAID is low but a satisfying level of attitude and practice on NSAID usage are noticed among the first-year non-health science undergraduates.
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