Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) about SelfMedication among Nursing Students in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Northern India: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Prospective Study
Background: Self-medication is an expanding global public health concern, particularly among healthcare undergraduates who possess early academic exposure to pharmacological concepts. Nursing undergraduates represent the future frontline of clinical drug administration, patient compliance monitoring, and bedside therapy. Their independent health-seeking behaviours and personal drug utilization patterns directly influence institutional healthcare standards and the safety of patient counselling. Objectives: To evaluate the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) regarding self-medication among undergraduate nursing students in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Northern India, to analyse associations with sociodemographic factors, and to identify the primary clinical drivers and therapeutic classes involved. Methods: A descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was executed within the Department of Pharmacology in coordination with the affiliated nursing college infrastructure. Following provisional clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), Government Medical College, Jammu (Ref No: IEC/GMCJ/2026/2014, Cat-C, Protocol C-689), a pre-validated, structural, 26-item digital survey instrument was administered. Universal sampling captured a definitive cohort of 206 nursing undergraduates. Raw data were processed via descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Chi-Square test) using SPSS 2.0 Version 26.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Out of N=206 participants, the definitive prevalence of self-medication within the preceding 12 months was 92.2% (n=190). The study group had a mean age of 21.42 ± 1.45 years, with a high proportion of females (82.5%, n=170) and individuals from rural backgrounds (67.0%, n=138). Theoretical knowledge assessments showed high baseline awareness: 98.5% (n=203) accurately defined self-medication, 95.1% (n=196) recognized that incomplete courses of antibiotics accelerate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and 98.5% (n=203) verified product expiration dates before use. However, significant permissive attitudes were observed: 79.6% (n=164) held the view that self-medication is acceptable for minor clinical conditions, and 45.1% (n=93) believed herbal or alternative remedies are entirely free from toxicity risks. Fever and common cold/cough (89.5%, n=170) were the leading clinical indications prompting self-care. Antipyretics (94.7%, n=180) and systemic antibiotics (69.5%, n=132) were the dominant therapeutic classes utilized. Previous prescriptions (67.9%, n=129) served as the primary source of drug information. Advanced academic training (4th year) showed a significant statistical correlation with higher practice rates (χ2 = 8.52, p = 0.036). Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication is remarkably high among nursing undergraduates. While theoretical awareness regarding drug expiration and antibiotic resistance is strong, clinical practice patterns reveal significant issues with independent antibiotic use. This study highlights the need to introduce formal clinical pharmacology workshops, prescription compliance ethics, and antibiotic stewardship early into the nursing curriculum.