For healthcare students, adopting judicious self-medication habits is vital for promoting the safe, effective, and economical use of drugs for conditions they have diagnosed themselves. This investigation sought to evaluate students’ understanding, views, and behaviors regarding responsible self-medication.A one-month online cross-sectional survey was carried out from March 1 to March 31, 2024, targeting pharmacy students in Uganda. Eligibility was open to those enrolled in diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Initial consent was obtained online by asking the participant about their willingness to take part. A non-probability snowball sampling strategy was used for recruitment. Data on demographics, self-medication practices, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to responsible self-medication were collected using a pre-validated questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with KAP regarding responsible self-medication. The rate of self-medication practice among the pharmacy students was exceptionally high at 96.73%. The most frequently treated conditions were headaches (78.97%) and colds/coughs (79.91%). Analgesics (90.19%) and antibiotics (53.97%) were the most commonly chosen drugs for self-care. A significant majority of students displayed good knowledge (87.38%) and positive attitudes (96.03%) regarding responsible self-medication. However, only 27.34% of the students were found to practice rational self-medication. The institution a student attended and their parents’ occupation were significantly correlated with having good knowledge. Conversely, factors such as gender, place of residence, and the nature of the illness were significant determinants of engaging in rational self-medication. Self-medication was highly prevalent among Ugandan pharmacy students, with analgesics and antibiotics being the favored choices. While most students had commendable knowledge and attitudes, their actual rational self-medication practices were low. The study recommends targeted training initiatives to foster safer self-medication behaviors among these future pharmacists.
