Assessment of knowledge and practice of selfmedication among undergraduates of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Self-medication is defined as obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of a medical practitioner either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment. It is fairly common practice in today’s era, be it in general population, or confined to a relatively smaller group of students. Self-medication can lead to wasteful expenditure, increase in morbidities due to adverse effects and resistance to antibiotics. The objectives of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of self-medication among undergraduates of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used for this study. A sample of 300 respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. The findings of the study found that most of the respondents have good knowledge of selfmedication and that self-medication is widely practiced among undergraduates of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State Nigeria despite their knowledge of its side effects. Based on the findings of the study, it is therefore recommended that the school authority need to enhance the level of knowledge on the health consequences of self-medication through seminar and health talk.