PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY,

Introduction: Self-medication is a common but potentially harmful health-seeking behavior among university students, often driven by factors such as accessibility, cost, and peer influence. While it may provide temporary relief for minor ailments, inappropriate self-medication can lead to adverse drug reactions, treatment failure, and antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, attitudes, determinants, and adverse effects of self-medication among undergraduate students at Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 undergraduate students selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square tests were employed to assess the association between socio-demographic variables and self-medication practices, with significance set atp < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of self-medication among respondents was 95.0%. The majority practiced self-medication for ailments such as malaria (20.6%), menstrual pain (16.0%), and stomach ache (15.2%). Common medications included antimalarials (30.6%), antibiotics (25.8%), and painkillers (22.8%). Major determinants influencing self- medication were previous experience with similar illness (91.7%),peer influence (86.0%), and high medical consultation costs (81.0%). Only 33.1% of students had a positive attitude toward self-medication. About 45.1% experienced adverse effects, and 61.4% had sought hospital care due to complications. Statistically significant associations were observed between self-medication and variables such as age, religion, level of study, and living arrangements (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Self-medication is highly prevalent among undergraduates at Kwara State University and is influenced by a combination of socio-demographic, economic, and behavioral factors. Despite a considerable level of awareness of its risks, poor medication practices persist. There is an urgent need for targeted health education, improved healthcare accessibility, and strict regulation of drug sales to reduce the prevalence and consequences of inappropriate self-medication among students. Keywords: Self-medication, Undergraduates, Prevalence, Determinants, Adverse effects, Kwara State University, Health behavior, Drug misuse.