{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T05:06:53Z","timestamp":1789103213615,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1789084800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Med."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is common among university students, particularly pharmacy students, despite the associated risks. Pharmacy students receive comprehensive education in pharmacology and medication safety. However, it remains unclear whether medication-related knowledge alone is sufficient to promote responsible self-medication practices or whether psychological factors, such as stress-related attitudes, also influence these behaviors. Addressing this gap is important, as pharmacy students are expected to promote the rational use of medicines in their future professional practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess self-medication practices and associated factors among pharmacy students at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      A cross-sectional study was conducted among full-time Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) students at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between November and December 2025. Data were collected using a convenience sampling method through an electronic questionnaire developed by pharmacology faculty members. The questionnaire underwent review for face and content validity and was pilot-tested before administration. It assessed demographic characteristics, self-medication practices, medication-related knowledge, and stress-related attitudes. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were employed to analyze the study variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations of demographic characteristics, medication-related knowledge, and stress-related attitudes with frequent self-medication. Statistical significance was defined as\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009&amp;lt;\u20090.05.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      A total of 244 pharmacy students participated, including 161 (66.0%) females and 83 (34.0%) males. 230 students (94.3%) reported practicing self-medication. Among them, the most frequently used categories were painkillers (189, 82.2%), topical preparations (154, 67.0%), and cough syrups (106, 46.1%). Male students were more likely than females to report self-medication for financial and time-saving reasons and were also more likely to use cough syrup. In contrast, female students reported greater use of sleeping aids. Higher medication-related knowledge (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.12\u20131.32;\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009&amp;lt;\u20090.001) and stress-related attitudes (OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.04\u20131.19;\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009=\u20090.004) were independently associated with frequent self-medication.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Medication-related knowledge and stress-related attitudes emerged as significant independent predictors of frequent self-medication among pharmacy students. These findings indicate the importance of integrating medication safety education with stress management strategies in pharmacy curricula to promote responsible self-medication practices among future pharmacists. Implementing such interventions may facilitate the rational use of OTC medicines, enhance patient safety, and improve public health outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2026.1877740","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T04:31:26Z","timestamp":1789101086000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Influence of stress and knowledge on self-medication practices among pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Eman O.","family":"Alsheikh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Al-Qunfudhah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nader N.","family":"Al-Majnoni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Majed A.","family":"Al-Zahrani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Abdullah S.","family":"Al-Saedi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Khalid A.","family":"Al-Marhabi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Danah K.","family":"Al-Areshi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Walaa S.","family":"Abu Rukbah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dalal A.","family":"Alfawaz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saad M.","family":"Wali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University","place":["Makkah, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","year":"2000"},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1027","DOI":"10.2165\/00002018-200124140-00002","article-title":"Benefits and risks of self medication","volume":"24","author":"Hughes","year":"2001","journal-title":"Drug Saf"},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"246","DOI":"10.1111\/ijpp.12594","article-title":"Australian Pharmacists: ready for increased non-prescription medicines reclassification","volume":"28","author":"Hope","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int J Pharm Pract"},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"401","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S131496","article-title":"Self-medication practice in Ethiopia: a systematic review","volume":"11","author":"Ayalew","year":"2017","journal-title":"Patient Prefer Adherence"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jadohealth.2014.07.001","article-title":"A systematic review of self-medication practices among adolescents","volume":"55","author":"Shehnaz","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Adolesc Health"},{"key":"B6","year":"2022"},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"236","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-7174.2011.00097.x","article-title":"Responsible self-medication: perceived risks and benefits of over-the-counter analgesic use","volume":"19","author":"Stosic","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int J Pharm Pract"},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.2174\/157488610792245966","article-title":"Risks of self-medication practices","volume":"5","author":"Ruiz","year":"2010","journal-title":"Curr Drug Saf"},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.21037\/jphe-23-184","article-title":"Relationship of self-medication and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): a scoping review","volume":"9","author":"Mendoza","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Public Health Emerg"},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"862301","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.862301","article-title":"Prevalence, predictors and point of view toward self-medication among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study","volume":"10","author":"Mannasaheb","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1664","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-025-07685-8","article-title":"Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacy students compared to other medical fields students regarding self-medication with OTC medicines in Kosovo: a cross-sectional study","volume":"25","author":"Shuleta-Qehaja","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Med Educ"},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.2147\/DHPS.S496924","article-title":"Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards responsible self-medication among pharmacy sStudents: a web-based cross-sectional survey in Uganda","volume":"17","author":"Brian","year":"2025","journal-title":"Drug Healthc Patient Saf"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.4103\/ijnmr.ijnmr_302_22","article-title":"Self-medication and its associated factors among university students: a cross-sectional study","volume":"29","author":"Alomoush","year":"2024","journal-title":"Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1560299","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1560299","article-title":"A cross-sectional study on self-medication with over-the-counter drugs among adolescents: an analysis of current practices","volume":"13","author":"Ma","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmacy13030079","article-title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward self-medication among pharmacy undergraduates in Penang, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study","volume":"13","author":"Ababneh","year":"2025","journal-title":"Pharmacy"},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.46542\/pe.2023.232.149155","article-title":"The association between knowledge level and common cold self-medication behaviour among students of non-health faculty","volume":"23","author":"Octavia","year":"2023","journal-title":"Pharm Educ"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1371","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S407693","article-title":"A cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of self-medication of non-opioid analgesics among medical Students at qassim university, Saudi Arabia","volume":"17","author":"Elghazaly","year":"2023","journal-title":"Patient Prefer Adherence"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1435707","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2024.1435707","article-title":"Knowledge and attitudes toward over-the-counter medications among pharmacy students: insights from a cross-sectional study in taif university, Saudi Arabia","volume":"11","author":"Alharthi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Med (Lausanne)"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.54905\/disssi\/v26i128\/ms439e2381","article-title":"Prevalence of self medication among umm al-qura medical Students","volume":"26","author":"Shatla","year":"2022","journal-title":"Med Sci"},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23779608251330865","DOI":"10.1177\/23779608251330865","article-title":"Self-medication patterns and knowledge among undergraduate health sciences Students: a cross-sectional study","volume":"11","author":"Abdelkader","year":"2025","journal-title":"SAGE Open Nursing"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3773","DOI":"10.4103\/jfmpc.jfmpc_308_24","article-title":"Self-medication practices among university students at a public university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia","volume":"13","author":"Abdulrahman","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Family Med Prim Care"},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102457","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2023.102457","article-title":"The prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors among college students: cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia","volume":"36","author":"Malli","year":"2023","journal-title":"Prev Med Rep"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"649","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsps.2022.04.001","article-title":"Pharmacy education in Saudi Arabia: achievements and challenges during the last two decades with a focus on taif university as a case study","volume":"30","author":"Fathelrahman","year":"2022","journal-title":"Saudi Pharm J"},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"919","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-026-09240-5","article-title":"Self-medication behavior among medical students: the roles of stress, self-efficacy, and health literacy","volume":"26","author":"Basit","year":"2026","journal-title":"BMC Med Educ"},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2997","DOI":"10.4314\/tjpr.v16i12.26","article-title":"Determinants of academic stress and stress-related selfmedication practice among undergraduate male pharmacy and medical students of a tertiary educational institution in Saudi Arabia","volume":"16","author":"Al-Shagawi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Trop J Pharm Res"},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"574","DOI":"10.3126\/nje.v6i2.15165","article-title":"Self-medication practice among preclinical university students in a medical school from the city of Pokhara, Nepal","volume":"6","author":"Banerjee","year":"2016","journal-title":"Nepal J Epidemiol"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1186\/s40545-019-0165-2","article-title":"Self medication practice and associated factors among students of Asmara college of health sciences, Eritrea: a cross sectional study","volume":"12","author":"Araia","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Pharm Policy Pract"},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1186\/s40545-021-00331-w","article-title":"Prevalence, knowledge and perception of self-medication practice among undergraduate healthcare students","volume":"14","author":"Akande-Sholabi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Pharm Policy Pract"},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"846","DOI":"10.26719\/emhj.20.052","article-title":"Prevalence of self-medication in university students: systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"26","author":"Behzadifar","year":"2020","journal-title":"East Mediterr Health J"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"352","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-022-07704-0","article-title":"A cross-sectional survey: knowledge, attitudes, and practices of self-medication in medical and pharmacy students","volume":"22","author":"Alduraibi","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Health Serv Res"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e33634","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.33634","article-title":"Attitude of self-medication among pharmacy students in king abdulaziz university, jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey","volume":"15","author":"Althagafi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmacy5030051","article-title":"Prevalence of self-medication among students of pharmacy and medicine colleges of a public sector university in Dammam city, Saudi Arabia","volume":"5","author":"Albusalih","year":"2017","journal-title":"Pharmacy (Basel)"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103488","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2026.103488","article-title":"Self-medication and pain in the European union: gender differences and associated factors","volume":"66","author":"Yeamans","year":"2026","journal-title":"Prev Med Rep"},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2582887","DOI":"10.1080\/09581596.2025.2582887","article-title":"Beyond pain relief: a comprehensive review of analgesic self-medication and its broad implications","volume":"35","author":"S. Moni","year":"2025","journal-title":"Crit Public Health"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1007\/s10194-010-0266-4","article-title":"Self-medication of migraine and tension-type headache: summary of the evidence-based recommendations of the deutsche migr\u00e4ne und kopfschmerzgesellschaft (DMKG), the deutsche gesellschaft f\u00fcr neurologie (DGN), the \u00d6sterreichische kopfschmerzgesellschaft (\u00d6KSG) and the schweizerische kopfwehgesellschaft (SKG)","volume":"12","author":"Haag","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Headache Pain"},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.21909\/sp.2018.02.753","article-title":"Do decision-making styles help explain health-risk behavior among university students in addition to personality factors?","volume":"60","author":"Bavo\u013e\u00e1r","year":"2018","journal-title":"Stud Psychol (Bratisl)"},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1097\/j.pain.0000000000000336","article-title":"Must we reduce pain intensity to treat chronic pain?","volume":"157","author":"Sullivan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Pain"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9724371","DOI":"10.1155\/2017\/9724371","article-title":"The link between depression and chronic pain: neural mechanisms in the brain","volume":"2017","author":"Sheng","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neural Plast"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Medicine"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1877740\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T04:31:38Z","timestamp":1789101098000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1877740\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]]},"references-count":38,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fmed.2026.1877740"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1877740","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-858X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-858X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]]},"article-number":"1877740"}}