KNOWLEDGE OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF SELF MEDICATION AMONG STUDENTS OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES IN BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE.

Abstract

Self-medication, the act of using drugs without professional guidance, remains a growing concern among university students, especially in developing countries. This study assessed the knowledge of the implications of self-medication among students of Social and Management Sciences in Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 262 respondents using a validated structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 74.8% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of self-medication, recognizing it as the use of drugs without a doctor’s prescription and understanding its potential risks. Despite this, 68.7% of the students admitted practicing self-medication, indicating a gap between knowledge and safe health behavior. Regarding perceived implications, 81.3% agreed that self-medication could lead to drug resistance and organ damage, while 76.2% acknowledged that it may delay appropriate medical consultation. Furthermore, 72.1% of respondents identified high cost of medical care and long waiting times in hospitals as major factors influencing their practice. Inferential analysis showed a significant relationship between students’ level of knowledge and their practice of self-medication (χ² = 14.72, p < 0.05), as well as between factors influencing self-medication and the practice itself (χ² = 18.54, p < 0.05). The study concluded that while students are largely aware of the dangers of self-medication, their practices are still influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. It recommended that continuous health education campaigns be implemented within tertiary institutions, focusing on behavioral change rather than knowledge alone. Strengthening regulations on over-the-counter drug sales and improving access to affordable healthcare services were also emphasized. Keywords: Self-medication, Knowledge, University Students, Health Behavior, Benson Idahosa University.