ArticleBMC health services research2026
Self-medication in times of illness: a multi-center cross-sectional study among medical students in Egypt.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundMedical students frequently experience health problems but often resort to self-medication instead of consulting a doctor. This practice may be influenced by various factors and is associated with serious health risks. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, predictors, and contributing factors for self-medication during illness among medical students in Egypt.
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,128 medical students from seven public universities across three regions of Egypt. Data on self-medication practices, self-reported reasons, and associated factors were collected using an online survey distributed through university-affiliated channels. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with self-medication for illness.
resultsSelf-medication for illness during the past year was reported by 66.6% of participants. In univariate analysis, significant predictors included older age (Crude Odds Ratio (COR) = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.99), advancing academic year (COR range: 1.69–2.60 vs. first-year students), having a part-time job (COR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.73), and having a chronic illness (COR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.76). Self-medication was also associated with confidence in self-diagnosis (COR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.16), barriers to healthcare access (COR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.00), discrimination in healthcare settings (COR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.95), and delaying healthcare-seeking (COR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.38). In multivariable analysis, significant predictors included advancing academic year (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.71, 2.26, 95% CI: 1.14, 4.03), confidence in self-diagnosis (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.13), delaying healthcare-seeking (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.10), and experiencing barriers to healthcare access (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.72). The most common self-reported reasons for self-medication was lack of time (43.4%) and convenience (42.5%).
conclusionA substantial proportion of Egyptian medical students rely on self-medication during illness, influenced by academic progression, confidence in self-diagnosis, and healthcare access barriers. Addressing these factors is crucial to promoting safer healthcare-seeking behaviors among future physicians. CLINICAL
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