Articles Vol. 66 No. 5 20/09/2025

14. CURRENT PRACTICES IN THE USE OF PARACETAMOL CONTAINING MEDICATIONS AMONG STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY AT HO CHI MINH CITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AT HO CHI MINH CITY

Nguyen Ngoc Thanh Xuan1,2, Luong Nguyen Quynh Trang3,4, Tran Pham Giang My3,4, Vo Y Lan1,2, Huynh Ho Ngoc Quynh1,2
1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city
2 Đại học Y Dược thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
3 University of Economics at Ho Chi Minh city
4 Đại học Kinh tế thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Corresponding author: hhnquynhytcc@ump.edu.vn
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66i5.3098
37 Views
10 Downloads
Keywords
Paracetamol, knowledge, practice, student.
Abstract

Objective: To determine the proportion of students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city and the University of Economics at Ho Chi Minh city with adequate knowledge and appropriate practices regarding the use of Paracetamol containing medications, and to assess the associations between knowledge and practice with gender, university, year of study.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 317 students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city and University of Economics at Ho Chi Minh city from August 2024 to June 2025.

Results: Among the 317 participating students, 14.2% demonstrated good knowledge regarding the use of Paracetamol containing medications, and 87.7% reported using these medications at appropriate dosages. Knowledge was significantly associated with university and year of study, but not with practice or gender. No significant associations were found between practice and gender or university; however, practice was associated with year of study.

Conclusion: The proportion of students with good knowledge regarding the use of Paracetamol containing medications at both University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city and University of Economics Ho Chi Minh city remains low; however, the rate of correct dosage practice is relatively high. Interventions should be implemented to improve students’ knowledge and minimize the risk of Paracetamol overdose, particularly considering the observed associations between practice and both university and year of study.

References
[1]
Samir S Ayoub. Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action. Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 2021, 8 (4): 351-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2021.1886392 Google Scholar
[2]
Grand View Research. Paracetamol IV market size, share & trends analysis report by application, by region, and segment forecasts, 2025-2030. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/paracetamol-iv-market-size/global. Accessed 10 July 2025. Google Scholar
[3]
Christina Jiun-Yu Tan, Grant E Sklar. Characterisation and outcomes of adult patients with Paracetamol overdose presenting to a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Singapore Medical Journal, 2017, 58 (12): 695-702. https://doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2016170 Google Scholar
[4]
Khalid A. Bin Abdulrahman, Shahad Hameed AlShammari, Wejdan Abdullah Alshakarah, Hanan Rafat A Bukhari, Ahad Marei Alenazi, Norah Saud Al Towaim. Self‑prescription of Paracetamol by Medical and Science Students at a Public University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 2022, 11 (7). https://www.ijmrhs.com/medical-research/selfprescription-of-paracetamol-by-medical-and-science-students-at-a-public-university-in-riyadh-saudi-arabia-89813.html Google Scholar
[5]
Huỳnh Nguyễn Thùy Trang, Nguyễn Trần Minh Như, Trần Thị Lý, Phạm Thị Kim Dung, Nguyễn Thị Thúy Nga. Khảo sát sử dụng Paracetamol đối với sinh viên Trường Đại học Văn Lang. Tạp chí Khoa học Văn Lang, 2022, 5 (33): 135-143. https://scholar.dlu.edu.vn/thuvienso/bitstream/DLU123456789/267720/1/71911-865-177482-1-2-20220922.pdf Google Scholar
[6]
Thinley Dorji, Kinley Gyeltshen, Krit Pongpirul. Rational use of Paracetamol among out‑patients in a Bhutanese district hospital bordering India: a cross‑sectional study. BMC Research Notes, 2018, 11 (1): 660. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3764-0 Google Scholar
[7]
National Library of Medicine, StatPearls Publishing. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482369/, 2023. Accessed 10 July 2025. Google Scholar
[8]
Omnia Awad Hassan Mohamed, Nmarig Hatim Mohamed Othman, Fatima Abbas Musa Khogaly. Knowledge, attitude and practice of Paracetamol toxicity among IT students in Napata College. Napata University Institutional Repository, 2017, 1-35. http://api.dspace.napata.edu.sd/server/api/core/bitstreams/9e69e853-1e9a-4279-90dc-7552b802c281/content. Google Scholar
[9]
Atheymen R, Chtourou L, Ksouda K, Sahnoun R, Hammami S, Affes H, Tahri N, Ben Mahmoud L, Zeghal K. Connaissance des étudiants en sciences infirmières des principes de l’automédication par le paracétamol. Journal de l’Information Médicale de Sfax, 2023, (43): 12-19. https://www.medecinesfax.org/useruploads/files/Article3-43.pdf Google Scholar