A cross-sectional descriptive study on knowledge and use of analgesics among UiTM students

Analgesics is a drug that selectively relieves pain by acting in central nervous system or on the peripheral pain mechanism without alter the consciousness. In both developed and developing countries, the frequency of analgesic use has significantly increased over the last three decades. Mild analgesics such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most preferred drugs among the students to relieve pain. This study was conducted to assess the analgesics use among the students, to evaluate the level of knowledge towards analgesics among the students and to investigate the socio­ demographic factors that are associated with level of knowledge towards analgesic use among the students. This study was conducted at UiTM Puncak Alam Campus using a cross-sectional method. Self-administered questionnaire consists of 3 parts which were demographic backgrounds, the use of analgesic among the students and the knowledge towards analgesics, were distributed. A total of 357 respondents were obtained in which majority was female (86.6%), median age was 22 with interquartile range of 4, Malay (98.0%), health related students (53.8%) and in second year (41.5%). The most commonly used analgesic among female students was paracetamol with fever as the main reason of taking medication. The overall total score for the level knowledge towards analgesic among the students was poorly knowledgeable with median of 3, interquartile range of 4. There were significant associations between faculty and study year with the level of knowledge towards analgesics among the students. Generally, the students had use paracetamol to treat the pain and had poor level of knowledge towards analgesics.