Knowledge and perception regarding the risk associated with self-medication in Ado-Odo Ota local government area of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background: Self-medication, extensively adopted globally, has become a widespread practice that raises public health concerns due to its associated consequences. Materials and Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design within the Ado-Odo Ota local government area (LGA) of Ogun State. A structured questionnaire was administered to gauge residents’ understanding and viewpoints regarding the risks linked to self-medication. The research encompassed all chosen individuals residing in the Ado-Odo Ota LGA, employing stratified random sampling methods to select 240 participants. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS statistical software package. Results: The study revealed that a significant portion of the participants (78%) engaged in self-medication. The primary source of information for self-medication was previous prescriptions (40.2%), indicating that individuals relied on their past experiences and prescriptions for guidance. Interestingly, most respondents, both those who self-medicated and those who did not, considered self-medication unfavorable (61.2% and 67.8%, respectively). Non-self-medicated individuals showed greater awareness of the potential risk of self-medication leading to drug abuse (76.3%) compared with those who self-medicated (62.4%). Moreover, a higher percentage of non-self-medicated individuals (57.6%) believed that self-medication could result in adverse drug reactions compared with self-medicated individuals (23.4%). The study indicated that most respondents had a negative perception of the risks associated with self-medication, with an average score of 2.01 ± 0.87. In addition, most respondents (94.4%) reported getting well after taking the drugs they self-medicated with. Conclusion: Measures need to be implemented to enhance public awareness regarding the dangers associated with self-medication, advocate for responsible medication practices, and prompt individuals to seek professional medical guidance for their healthcare requirements.