Knowledge and Attitude on Analgesic Use Among Female Students at King Abdulaziz University in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia

Authors

Abdulrahman Abudawood, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Iman Wahby, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Haneen Aseeri, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Jamila Bukhari, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Rawan Almutairi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Ghadi Alsharif, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Futoon Almutairi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Tawfik M. Ghabrah, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Jamil A. Samkari, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi ArabiaFollow

Abstract

Background: Self-medication, specifically with analgesics such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is prevalent among university students. This behavior can potentially lead to health risks, including hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal complications. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding analgesic use among female students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022, involving 371 participants. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic information, knowledge about analgesic side effects, attitudes toward their use, and practices during examination periods.

Results: Most students (65.4%) showed a moderate understanding of analgesics, with medical and nursing students significantly outperforming those studying business. While 83.3% reported using paracetamol, most considered it a safe, readily accessible treatment. Regarding attitude, half the students (50.1%) regularly read medication leaflets, yet 36.9% used analgesics without a prescription. During exams, the primary reason for using analgesics was to alleviate headaches (71.2%), with a substantial majority (87.6%) only using them as needed.

Conclusion: This study found that, while most students demonstrated moderate knowledge of analgesic use, medical and nursing students demonstrated a significantly better understanding than business students. Notably, the majority adhered to safe dosing practices. However, a concerning trend emerged regarding the misuse of analgesics during exam periods. The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational programs to promote safe analgesic use, especially during stressful periods such as exams. Further research is recommended to explore the broader implications of self-medication behaviors among university students in Saudi Arabia.

First Page

168

Last Page

175

Recommended Citation

Abudawood, Abdulrahman; Wahby, Iman; Aseeri, Haneen; Bukhari, Jamila; Almutairi, Rawan; Alsharif, Ghadi; Almutairi, Futoon; Ghabrah, Tawfik M.; and Samkari, Jamil A. (2025) "Knowledge and Attitude on Analgesic Use Among Female Students at King Abdulaziz University in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences: Vol. 32: Iss. 2, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4279.1018

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.