Self-medication practices among undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in Australia: a cross-sectional study

Self-medication is a global phenomenon and a major form of self-care.

To explore the self-medication practices of Australian nursing and midwifery students.

An online questionnaire that examined the prevalence of self-medication, reasons for self-medication, medications consumed and medication knowledge was distributed to student nurses and midwives at one university in Victoria, Australia. Data were collected between February and May 2014.

Self-medication practices were reported in 91.7% (n = 110) of students. Students reported the main reason for self-medication was to play an active role in their health. The incidence of stress was high (n = 82, 74.5%), along with back pain (n = 84, 76.4%) and nearly half the students (n = 46, 42.2%) reported using antibiotics that were prescribed for a previous health problem.

Self-medication practices were common in this student cohort and some results give rise to concern for the general wellbeing of our future nursing and midwifery workforce.