Abstract:

Self-medication can potentially do well and also harm people. It is a common practice and internationally has been reported as being on the rise. Studies have observed self-medication as a common practice among group of health workers that included dental, midwifery and nursing students. Hence, this study assessed the knowledge and practice of self-medication among students of school of nursing in selected schools in Osun State. It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Samples of two hundred nursing students were included in the study using purposive sampling.

The result in this study showed that majority (91%) of the nursing students had high level of knowledge and about two third (64.5%) indulge in high practice of self medication respectively. More than half of them signified that presence of minor ailments and having enough knowledge about drugs were the factors that always make them to self-medicate, while more than forty percent indicated that financial constraint, previous experience, time saving, advertisement and unavailability of health care services as factors that sometimes influence self-medication. Significant relationship existed between knowledge and practice of self medication (t = -3.116, df = 198, P < 0.05).

Nursing students demonstrated high level of knowledge about medication and its effects. Majority indulge in self-medication practices. Those with high level of knowledge practice of self medication less. It would be safer if those who self-medicate have sufficient knowledge to prevent serious effects. It is recommended that policies be formulated to control the purchase and use drugs.

Keywords: Practices of self-medication among nursing students

References:

[1]. Al-Hussaini M, Mustafa S, and Ali S. (2014). Self-medication among Undergraduate Medical Students in Kuwait with reference to the Role of the Pharmacist. Journal of Research Pharmacy Practice; 3 (1): 23-27.

[2]. Ali S. E., Ibrahim M. I. M., and Palaian S. (2010). Medication storage and self-medication behaviour amongst female students in Malaysia. Pharmacy Practice; 8(4): 1-7.

[3]. Arikpo G., Eja M., and Enyi-Idoh K. (2009). Self-Medication in Rural Africa. The Internet Journal of Health: 11 (1).

[4]. Auta A., Shalkur D., Omale S. and Abiodun A. H. (2012). Medicine Knowledge and Self-Medication Practice Among Students. JPRD; 4 (1): 6-11.

[5]. Awosusi and Konwea (2015). Self-medication Practice among Secondary School Students in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. JAMPS, 3(2): 61-68.

[6]. Banerjee I, and Bhadury T. (2012). Self-Medication Practice among Undergraduate Medical Students in a tertiary care medical college, West Bengal. J. Postgrad. Med. 58(2):127.

[7]. Bernal B. S. R., and Silva N. N., (2010). Self-Medication in Low-Income Adults in South-Eastern Brazil. Rev SauePulica; 44(6): 1-6.

[8]. Dimabayao C. G. and Mohammad E. K. (2016). Prevalence of Self Medication Practice among Nursing Students in Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. IOSR-JNHS; 5 (1): 11-16

[9]. Ehigiator O., Azodo C.C., Ehizele A.O., Ezeja E.B, Ehigiator L, et al (2013). Self medication practices among dental, mid- wifery and nursing students. Eur J Gen Dentistry 2:54–57.

[10]. El-Nimr, N.A., Wahdan, I.M.H, Wahdan, A.M.H. and Kotb R.E. (2015) Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants. East Mediterr Health J.; 21(4):256-65.

[11]. Emmanuel A., Daniel G., Achema G., Afor B., Onyejekwe G., and Gimba SM. (2011). Self-Medication practice among undergraduate nursing students of University of Jos, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences; 10 (2): 22-26.

[12]. Fadare J. O. and Tamuno I. (2011). Antibiotic Self-Medication among University Medical undergraduates in Northern Nigeria. J Public Health Epidemiol; 3 (5): 217–220.

[13]. Galato D, Galafassi L, Alano GM, and Trauthman SC. (2009). Responsible Self- Medication: Review of the process of Pharmaceutical Attendance. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences; 45(4):625-633.

[14]. Joshi M.C., Shalini, and Agarwal S. (2011). A questionnaire based study of self-medication practices among young population. Res. J. Pharm., Biol. Chem. Sci.; 2:761–6.

[15]. Lukovic J. A., Miletic V., Pekmezovic T., Trajkovic G., Ratkovic N., et al. (2014). Self-Medication Practices and Risk Factors for Self- Medication among Medical Students in Belgrade, Serbia. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114644. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0114644

[16]. Olayemi O. J., Olayinka B. O., Musa A. J., (2010). Evaluation of antibiotic self-medication: Pattern amongst undergraduate students of ABU (Main Campus) Zaria. J Appl Science Res.; 2(1):35-38.

[17]. Osemene K. P., Lamikara A. (2012). A study of the prevalence of self-medication practice among University Students in Southwestern Nigeria. Trop J Pharmaceutical Res. 11(4): 683-689

[18]. Shah A.P, Parmar S.A, Kumkishan A, Mehta A.A. (2011). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Survey Regarding the safe use of Medicines in rural area of Gujurat. Adv Trop Med Pub Health; 1(2): 66-70.

[19]. Sontakke S.D., Bajait C.S., Pimpalkhute S.A., Jaiswal K.M, Jaiswal SR. (2011). Comparative study of evaluation of self medication practices in first and third year medical students. Int J Biol Med Res.; 2(2): 561-564.

[20]. Talevi A. (2010). The New Patient and Responsible Self-Medication Practices: A Critical review. Current Drug Safety;

[21]. 5(4):342-53.

[22]. Verma RK, Mohan L & Pandey M. (2010). Evaluation of self medication among professional student in north India: proper statutory drug control must be implemented. Asian J pharmaclinReas; 3: 60-64.

[23]. Vizhi S. K., Senapathi R., (2010). Evaluation of the perception, attitude and practice of self-medication among business students in 3 select Cities, South India. International Journal of Enterprise and Innovation Management Studies (IJEIMS); 1 (3): 40–4.

[24]. World Medical Association (2012). WMA Statement on Self-medication; Re-afffirmed by the 191^st WMA Council Session, Prague, Czech Republic, April, 2012. World Medical Association, Inc.

[25]. World Health Organization (2014). Essential Medicines and Health Products. Information Portal; 2014. Geneva, WHO.