Prevalence and Determinants of Self-Medication Practices among Adults in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State: Implications for Public Health Intervention
Sanusi Rahama Karama
Department of Public Health, Noida International University UP, India.
Sanusi Rukaya Kabir *
Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria.
Sanusi Rabiatu
Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria.
Sanni Hawwau Oluwatimilehin
Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria.
Sani Sadi
Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Zaria, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Self-medication is a major global public health concern and is increasingly prevalent in developing countries such as Nigeria because of poverty, limited access to healthcare services, high treatment costs, and the ready availability of medicines without prescription. Despite the potential health risks associated with self-medication, including adverse drug reactions, incorrect diagnosis, treatment failure, and antimicrobial resistance, the practice remains widespread among adults.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and determinants of self-medication practices among adults in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State and their implications for public health intervention.
Methods: A total of 400 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. The target population comprised adult residents of Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State who were aged 18 years and above and represented diverse socio-economic, educational, and occupational backgrounds. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to residents across selected areas within the Local Government Area. Of these, 370 questionnaires were duly completed and returned, representing a response rate of 92.5%, while 30 were not returned. The analysis was therefore based on the 370 valid questionnaires retrieved.
Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of self-medication among respondents, with antibiotics, analgesics, antimalarials, and cough remedies being the most commonly used medicines. The chi-square analysis indicated a statistically significant difference in respondents’ views regarding access to healthcare facilities (χ² = 6.76, df = 1, p < 0.05). This result implies that difficulty in accessing healthcare services significantly influenced self-medication practices among respondents in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Financial constraints, difficulty in accessing healthcare facilities, and social influence from family and friends were also identified as significant determinants. In addition, a considerable proportion of respondents reported adverse drug reactions and inconsistent completion of medication dosages. Although awareness of the risks associated with self-medication was relatively high, the practice remained common among respondents.
Conclusion: The study concluded that self-medication constitutes a significant public health challenge in Kaduna North Local Government Area and is driven by a combination of economic, social, and healthcare-access factors. The study recommends strengthening the regulation of medicine sales, improving access to affordable healthcare services, intensifying public health education campaigns, promoting health literacy, and implementing community-based intervention programmes to reduce unsafe self-medication practices.
Keywords: Self-medication, medication use, adults, healthcare access, financial constraints, patent medicine vendors, antimicrobial resistance, health literacy, public health intervention