Abstract:

Practice of self- medication is largely influenced by individual perception and belief on effectiveness of the medicine to be administered by the patient to treat certain illness without concerting a medical practitioner. The main objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing self-medication practice among undergraduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population were undergraduates; 4 faculties were randomly selected from 2 strata of faculties: medical (MS) and non-medical (NMS). Four hundred students were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected at using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings showed that the prevalence of self-medication among the undergraduates was 52.2%. Overall, the MS had higher predisposing (MS =16.13±3.93; NMS = 14.38±4.19) and enabling factors (M = 9.83±2.92; NMS = 9.58±3.20) while the non-medical students had a higher level of reinforcing factors (MS = 8.28±2.77; NMS = 9.35±4.08). Course of study had no statistical relationship with practice of self-medication (F_1,373) = 0.050 p = 0.824). Practice of self-medication had significant relationship with predisposing (F_1,373 = 2.047; p = 0.006), enabling (F_1,373 = 3.416; p<0.01) and reinforcing factors (F_1,373 = 2.609; p<0.01).

There is an urgent need for a multifaceted approach to tackle the issues identified as predisposing to self-medicated antibiotics in Nigeria. Appropriate, targeted and comprehensive public health education is needed to inform the public on the dangers of self-medication.

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