Self Medication Practices Among Dental, Nursing and Midwifery Students

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the pattern of self medication among dental, nursing and midwifery students and to evaluate the factors associated with self-medication. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional of dental, nursing and midwifery students studying at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria was conducted in 2010. The elicited data include demography, use of drug without doctor's prescription, type of drug used (pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-malarial, cough medication and nutritional supplement), reasons for self medication, factors that influenced choice of drug and source of drug. Results: The overall response rate was 95.8%. A total of 76.8% of the respondents indulged in self medication practices. Of which, 33.0% used the medication incorrectly. The pattern of self medication use was, pain relievers (60.5%), antibiotics (43.2%), anti-malarial (40.5%), cough medication (16.7%) and nutritional supplement (16.0%). Previous experience with the illness and perceived minor nature of the illness were the predominant reasons for the self medication practices among the respondents. The major factors that influenced their choice of medication were previous experience with similar symptoms (43.2%), advice of non doctor health professional (37.7%). Pharmacy shop was the main source of the self medicated drugs. Conclusion: Self-medication was commonly practiced practices among the students. The level of incorrect drug use denotes self medication as an unhealthy option and should be discouraged.