Micheale Gebrehanse Gebresilassie and Mebratu Legesse Bekele
Background: Drugs which are used for relieving of several kind of somatic pain are commonly known as painkillers or Analgesics. Non-opioid analgesics include acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The main aim of this study was assess the prevalence, awareness and reasons of non-opioid analgesic use among the college of health sciences students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students of the college of health sciences students at Mekelle University, Northern Ethiopia. A stratified sampling method was used and self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were entered and analyzed by the statistical package for social sciences version 16. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests were computed and then logistic regressions were run with p-value <0.05 and 95 % confidence interval.
Results: A total of 339 participants were included in the study and the response rate was 280 (82.6% among which 195 (69.6%) were males and the mean age was 21.14+2.57 years. Prevalence of non-opioid analgesic use at least once during their life-time was 42.5%; and 39.6% during the past 3 months. Among those with non-opioid analgesics use experience, acetaminophen was found to be the most used non-opioid analgesic in both life-time and current use; 162(70.43%) and 74 (32.17%) respectively. Ibuprofen was the second prevalently used among non-opioid analgesics; 28 (12.17%) in life-time and 21(9.13%) current use. The common reasons for non-opioid analgesic use were the headache (80.87%), menstrual pain (16.52%), and dental pain (14.35%. Females were more likely to use non-opioid analgesic than males in their life time and currently.
Conclusion: The prevalence of non-opioid analgesic use at least once during their life-time was high. Acetaminophen was the most commonly used non-opioid analgesic and the usual reason was headache. It is better to use specific non-opioid analgesic for specific pain by consulting health professionals.