Self medication practices among workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Abstract

Studies in most developing countries revealed (70-95%) of illnesses are treated through self-medication. Poor accessibility to medical services has been associated with this practice. This study determines the pattern of self-medication among workers at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. In a cross-sectional study, workers were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. A high proportion of workers (73%) reported the practice of self-medication and 95.6 % of them correctly use appropriate drugs. About 80% of these workers stock their drugs at home. Also, 80.4 % procure their drugs in chemist shops. A higher proportion of workers directly involved with medical care services (90.9%) practice self-medication compared to those involved with non-medical care services (62.9%), P<0.01. Also, the higher the education of workers the more is the proportion that practice self-medication, (P<0.05). Self-medication is commonly practiced among the hospital population who have relatively easy access to medical care services. Thus, self-medication may be a real health option.