Self-medication in times of illness: a multi-center cross-sectional study among medical students in Egypt

Medical 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. A 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. Self-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%). A 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. Not applicable.