ASSESSMENT OF SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RESIDENT IN OWO TOWNSHIP

The decision to engage in self-medication among undergraduates is not simply a matter of personal choice; it is the result of a confluence of knowledge, socio-cultural influences, and access to healthcare services. This study assessed the practice of self-medication among undergraduate students’ resident in Owo Township, Ondo State. Specifically, it assessed the level of knowledge and practice, and factors influencing self-medication practice among respondents. Relevant theoretical and empirical literature was surveyed in line with the study objectives, with Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological systems theory serving as the guiding theoretical framework. A descriptive cross-sectional research design and multistage sampling technique was adopted, while Cochran formula was used to select a representative sample size of 223 respondents for the study. Data collection relied on a self-structured questionnaire, and subsequent analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Descriptive analysis was performed alongside Chi-Square testing, allowing for hypothesis examination at a significance level of 0.05. Ethical consideration was obtained as required. The study's outcomes revealed a good knowledge level of 82.5% and high level of practice of self-medication of 51.6% among respondents. Furthermore, the factors influencing self-medication practice include non-severity of the illness, distance of school clinic from the hostel, ease of access to over-the-counter medications, having adequate knowledge about disease conditions and its corresponding treatment, and also socio-demographic factors such as gender and course of study. Additionally, the study found a significant relationship between course of study and practice of self-medication among respondents (P=0.001). The practice of self-medication was found to be higher among nursing science students. The researcher recommends that health workers should launch awareness campaigns that highlight the potential dangers of self-medication, especially with prescription medications. Word count: 280 words Key words: knowledge, practice, factors, self-medication, undergraduates.