Knowledge of COVID-19 and preventive measures on self-medication practices among Nigerian undergraduates

Abstract

Self-medication has been identified as a prevalent practice in Nigeria as it provides a ready low-cost alternative in low-income countries. The current study aims to assess the influence of knowledge of and experience of COVID-19 symptoms on self-medication behaviour in a cross-section of Nigerian undergraduates. Three hundred fifty-six university undergraduates across 31 Nigerian universities was conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak between May and August 2020 to observe the prevalence of knowledge and experience of COVID-19 symptoms, the frequency and type of medications utilised for self-medication and the influence of socio-demographic variables, specifically gender, on self-medication in undergraduates. The mean age of respondents was 20.34 years. A majority (90.4%) of the sample recognised breathing difficulties as a symptom of COVID-19 symptoms. Self-medication was noted among respondents, with a prevalence of 65.4%. Paracetamol was the most commonly used drug for self-medication for perceived COVID-19 symptoms. Knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms did not significantly predict self-medication {F(1, 352) = 1.277, p.005 in the sample. Self-medication practice did not differ significantly between male and female undergraduates. Prevalence of self-medication is high in the present cohort, and continuous awareness and sensitisation about the risks of self-medication will be of immense benefit to the health status of young adults.