Self-medication among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria: knowledge, attitude, and practices

Abstract

BACKGROUND Self-medication is linked to the inappropriate and irrational use of medicines. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication among health care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.
 METHODS In a cross-sectional study carried out between June 2018 and December 2018 at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, 206 consenting HCWs were interviewed using validated questionnaires on their knowledge (assessed as good, fair, and poor), attitude (positive and negative), and practice of self-medication. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., USA). Bivariate analysis was carried out using chi-square. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05.
 RESULTS Prevalence of self-medication in the last 4 months was 89.3%, and significantly decreased with increasing age (p = 0.04) and holding a positive attitude toward self-medication (p<0.01). Knowledge of self-medication was fair for the majority 111 (53.9%). Most of the medications were used for headache (92.4%), fever (81.5%), diarrhea (75.0%), and respiratory infections (61.4%). Common drugs self-medicated included antimalarials (91.3%), analgesics (81.0%), and antibiotics (71.2%). 39 subjects (21.2%) self-medicated with tranquilizers. Familiarity with the treatment options was the main reason for self-medication for 60.9% of the respondents.
 CONCLUSIONS Self-medication was prevalent among HCWs in the study area. Concerted efforts are needed to educate HCWs on responsible self-medication. On a broader scale, restrictions should be enforced on the sale of prescription drugs, such as antibiotics and sleeping pills, and drug dispensers should provide effective counseling before dispensing.

Self medication practices and its determinants in health care professionals during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic: cross-sectional study

“…HCPs older than 44 years were 2.7 times more likely to practice self-medication than those below 44 years. This finding differs from some previous reports that showed that young people were more likely to use self-medication [ 1 , 14 ]. The older age group is more vulnerable to COVID-19 with subsequent adverse outcomes than the younger age group [ 32 – 34 ].…”

“…The nature of their training empowers them to recognize and hopefully seek treatment earlier than the uninformed individual. While this may be beneficial in most instances, it may also adversely affect their health as HCPs have poor health-seeking abilities [ 14 ].…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards the Use of Over-the-Counter Medicines: An Online Survey among Bruneian Adults amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For example, in several studies from Iran, Ethiopia, India and Nigeria involving self-medication among pharmacy or medical students, the source of the medicines used in self-medication were OTC medicines from medical stores or pharmacies [5][6][7][8]. Even healthcare workers from a study in Nigeria prefer self-medicating with OTC [9]. In a different study in India involving patients from a dental hospital, all participants bought their self-medication from medical stores or pharmacies [10].…”

Prevalence and reasons for practicing self-medication among basic health staff: case of Monywa District, Myanmar: a cross-sectional study

“…Many published studies reported that most health workers have a positive attitude towards self-medication. 42,49,50,51 In fact, instead of overemphasizing the activities that try to address the BHS's perception towards responsible selfmedication, the Myanmar technical working groups may require to advocate the BHS for following the national treatment guidelines and drug policy and to promote their comprehensive knowledge about drug safety, quality, and rational usage.…”