Perception and Consequences Associated with Self-Medication Practice among Nnamdi Azikiwe University Undergraduates

Abstract

Self-medication implies the use of any medicine for the treatment of ailments without a physician’s prescription. This study investigated perception and consequences associated with self medication practice among Unizik undergraduates. The study was designed as a survey. The study population comprised all undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State. (30,917). A sample of 390 respondents was selected from this population. Questionnaires were personally administered to 390 undergraduate students of Unizik. Major findings indicate that a large number of the respondents perceive that self- medicated drugs are as effective as the one prescribed by physicians. That the respondents’ major ailment is Malaria. And that the respondents mostly treat malaria using Lokamal Antimalarial drug. On the consequences associated with self medication, the study discovered that majority of the students are aware of the consequences and have experienced dizziness as a major consequences of self- medication. The study concluded that the respondents are aware and has also to a large extent experienced dizziness as a major consequence of self- medicating. It however suggests that health education on self-medication should be introduced into the undergraduate curriculum so as to enlighten the students on the consequences associated with unregulated self-medication practice.