Understanding and practices of over-the-counter drugs for self-care among students of different medical faculties in a low-and middle-income country

Abstract

Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) drug use is a common self-care practice among individuals, particularly students in medical fields who often have greater access to pharmaceutical knowledge. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where healthcare access may be limited, OTC drug use can be both a necessity and a risk. This study aims to assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to OTC drug use for self-care among students from different medical faculties.