Self-Medication from COVID-19 among Students at the University of Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Self-medication is a common practice among students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This raises concerns for public health policymakers, necessitating further investigation. The aim of this study was to assess university students' level of awareness about self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive questionnaire-based study was conducted from March to April 2021 to evaluate the practice of self-medication among university students at the University of Tripoli. Participants were surveyed through face-to-face interviews after obtaining verbal consent. Data was analyzed using MS Excel and presented as counts and percentages. A total of 100 students participated in the study, including 41 males and 59 females. Of these, 35% had been exposed to coronavirus while 65% had not. Among the participants, 10% reported dispensing antibiotics, while 65% took nutritional supplements (vitamins). Information on self-medication was obtained from a doctor by 50%, family by 5%, social media by 40%, and friends by 5%. The study concluded that university students have good awareness and healthy behavior regarding self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as taking nutritional supplements.