Thực trạng sử dụng thuốc có chứa Paracetamol ở sinh viên Đại học Y Dược Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh và Đại học Kinh tế Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Paracetamol is a widely accessible over-the-counter medication for pain and fever, leading to its extensive and increasing use globally. However, the convenience and ease of access often result in self-medication without adequate understanding of potential risks, correct dosages, and proper administration. Such practices can lead to serious health complications, including liver toxicity and acute liver failure, as evidenced by various studies. Given the critical importance of safe medication practices, particularly among young adults, this study aims to assess the current knowledge and practices regarding Paracetamol use among students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City, and to identify associated demographic factors.

Public health professionals, university administrators, educators, and researchers interested in medication knowledge and practices among university students, particularly those in medical and non-medical fields, and policymakers involved in public health education.

This cross-sectional study investigated the knowledge and practices concerning Paracetamol-containing medications among 317 university students in Ho Chi Minh City from August 2024 to June 2025. The research aimed to determine the proportion of students with adequate knowledge and appropriate practices and to explore associations with gender, university affiliation, and year of study. Findings revealed a low proportion of students possessing good knowledge (14.2%), with 41.96% having acceptable knowledge and 43.85% exhibiting poor knowledge. Despite this, a high percentage (87.7%) reported using Paracetamol at appropriate dosages, although a notable minority (7.89%) used it in overdose, and 3.47% had undefined dosages. Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between knowledge and both university affiliation (students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy had 1.36 times higher odds of good/acceptable knowledge compared to those from the University of Economics) and year of study. Practice was also significantly associated with the year of study, but not with gender or university. Notably, no statistically significant association was found between overall knowledge and practice. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to improve students' understanding of Paracetamol, particularly emphasizing correct dosage and potential overdose risks. Such interventions should consider university background and academic year to effectively enhance medication safety awareness among the student population.