FACTORS INFLUENCING SELF- MEDICATION AND ITS PREVENTIVE MEASURES AMONG STUDENTS OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

Abstract

The study investigated factors influencing self-medication among undergraduate students of 
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Three research questions guided the study and one 
hypothesis was tested. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, the population comprised 
of 1268 students, 204 undergraduate students were sampled using simple random sampling 
technique and proportionate sampling technique. Instrument for data collection was a structured 
questionnaire titled Self-medication and Preventive Measures Questionnaire (FISPMQ). The 
instrument was validated by three experts, two from the Department of Health Promotion and 
Public Health Education and one from Measurement and Evaluation Department, Faculty of 
Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Reliability of the instrument was established 
using Cronbach Alpha coefficient that yielded a coefficient value of 0.78 which makes the 
instrument reliable. The data collected were analyzed using simple frequency tables while the 
study hypothesis was tested using one way ANOVA. Findings from the study shows that 
financial constraints, peer pressure, access to Over The Counter (OTC) drugs, lack of awareness 
of the dangers of self-medication and adequate knowledge of healthcare and medications are 
factors influencing self-medication among undergraduate students. The study also found that 
self-medication leads to frequent health issues or complications in students. Furthermore, the 
study found that self-medication leads to potential adverse reaction and risk of dependency and 
abuse among students. Based on these findings, the study recommends among others that 
university authorities should implement regular awareness programs on the dangers of self
medication, utilizing campus media and peer support groups to spread information on safe 
medication practices.