Self-medication practices with over-the-counter drugs among pharmacy students in South- South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Self-medication with Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs is increasingly practiced among university students, including those in health-related disciplines. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and self-medication practices with OTC drugs among pharmacy students in the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400–600 level pharmacy students using a structured, self-administered questionnaire based on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) model. Stratified random sampling was used to select participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, utilizing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess associations between socio-demographic variables and KAP components. Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Pharmacy Ethics Committee.

Results: Findings revealed that a large proportion of respondents (98.1%) demonstrated good knowledge of OTC drugs. Most students (99.6%) exhibited positive attitudes toward responsible self-medication, acknowledging the pharmacist’s role in ensuring drug safety. However, a considerable proportion (82.2%) reported practicing self-medication within the past three months without professional consultation, while 34.1% admitted increasing drug doses beyond recommended limits. Chi-square analysis showed no statistically significant association between socio-demographic variables and respondents’ knowledge or attitude toward OTC drug use (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Pharmacy students demonstrated high knowledge and positive attitudes regarding OTC drug use but engaged in risky self-medication practices, indicating a persistent knowledge gap. Strengthening drug-safety education and enforcing OTC regulations is recommended.