PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF SELF MEDICATION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AKURE CAMPUS
Abstract
The prevalence of self-medication and medicine abuse has been increasing recently due to economic hardships. This study assessed the prevalence, predictors, and common ailments associated with self-medication among nursing students at UNIMED, Akure Campus, Ondo State. The study adopted a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey method. In all, 148 respondents were selected through a simple random sampling across 300 level to 500 level students. A structured and anonymous questionnaire was administered to the respondents. The questionnaire was extracted from previous studies and contains questions on the socio-demographic characteristics, the prevalence, predictors and common indicators for self-medication. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22. Findings revealed a high prevalence of self-medication (72.6%) and substantial knowledge (70.4%) among respondents. Key predictors included familiarity with self-medication practices, adequate drug knowledge, belief in time and cost-saving benefits, quick pain relief, preference for herbal remedies, distance to clinics, and high consultation fees. Common indicators for self-medication included headache, malaria fever, stomach ache, ulcer, common cold, and back pain. Hypothesis testing indicated significant relationships between prevalence and predictors of self-medication (p
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