ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to appraise the knowledge, attitude, and Practices of undergraduate students of University of Benin, Edo State towards Self-medication. A descriptive survey research design was used in conducting the study. The population of the study comprises of all the undergraduate students occupying the university of Benin hostels between 2020/2021 academic sessions. The respondents are distributed across five hostels: hall one, hall two, Hall three, hall four and hall five, both male and female. The total population used for the study is seven thousand and one hundred (7,100). The sample size of the study is three hundred and twenty one (321). The multistage sampling technique was adopted in selecting the sample population of the study. Systematic technique was used to select one on every other hostels. Three hostels were selected which includes; hall one, Hall three, and hall five, both male and female. A Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 10% from each Halls of residence selected.
From the research Findings, it was discovered that majority of the undergraduate students in University of Benin have high knowledge of Self-medication, the students have positive attitude towards Self-medication, there is high Prevalence in the Practice of Self-medication, majority of the students take drug recommendations given by family members and friends who are non- Medical practitioners, and high number of students engage in the practice of using same medication when presented with the same symptoms without doctor's prescription.
Conclusion: The level of Self-medication knowledge is high among undergraduate students in University of Benin. And as such led to the high Prevalence in the practice of Self-medication, and the high score of the level of attitude revealed that students tends to have a positive positioning towards Self-medication.
Recommendation: National Orientation Agency (NOA) should put more effort in educating the public about the dangers of Self-medication, with television, newspaper adverts and radio, Ministry of health and policy makers should consider developing and implementing programmes about the risk of Self-medication,and increasing control and monitoring of the sales of drugs, health education on Self-medication should be introduced into the undergraduate curriculum so as to enlighten the students on the pros and cons of Self-medication, the University should also create a friendly atmosphere in the University clinic so as to encourage the students to visit the clinic anytime they feel symptoms of any diseases, responsible Self-medication must be promoted among undergraduate students and counseling should be done against chronic habitual Self-medication practices, expansion of health insurance services to universal coverage can reduce the price of Self-medication Practices
