Prevalence of Self Medication and Knowledge of its Associated Risks among Undergraduate Students of a State University in Southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Self-medication, as one element of self-care, is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. It is the use of non-prescribed medicines by people on the basis of their own initiative.

Aim and Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of self-medication and knowledge of its associated risks among undergraduate students of Osun State University, Osogbo campus. The study determined reasons and factors influencing self-medication among the students.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data a convenient sample of 407 respondents. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results were presented using tables, pie chart, frequency and percentages.

Results: This study shows a very young population of students (average age of 17±5.6 years; range – 16 to 27 years), with male making up over two-thirds (slightly over 64%). Prevalence is relatively high; 55.3% of students had used drugs without medical advice, with more than half of the respondents preferring to buy drugs from chemist or pharmacy shops rather than going to school clinic. Antibiotics are the most commonly self-medicated drug on the campus, with headache as the most frequent reported symptom. Factors such as high cost of consultation, urgency and degree of health problem, pressure of time explained why students self-medicate. Male gender appears absolute determinant (p=0.000) of self-medication; other socio-demographic variables were not significantly related to prevalence to self-medication.

Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication is relatively high with good knowledge of its associated risks among students of Osun State University, Osogbo Campus. It is recommended that health promotion by health workers and university clinic has become paramount.