PREVALENCE OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AT TAIF UNIVERSITY

Background: Self-medication is a common practice, particularly in developing countries. It involves the use of over the counter medications and herbal medicines, and while it has advantages, it also has negative consequences. Objectives: This study examines the prevalence of and factors influencing self-medication use among medical students at Taif University. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested and validated online questionnaire distributed to medical students at Taif University between March and September 2025. The study included all enrolled students in the College of Medicine who were present and consented to participate. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 to examine associations between self medication behavior and independent variables, with p <0.05 set as the criterion for statistical significance.