Factors Influencing Practice Of Self Medication Among Undergraduates Students

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To establish the extent to which parents’ sources of income influence the prevalence of self medication among students in University of Lagos.

2. To establish the extent to which school administration influences the prevalence of self medication among students in University of Lagos.

3. To establish how peer pressure influences self medication among students in University of Lagos.

1.4 Research Questions

1. To what extent do parents’ sources of income influence the prevalence of self medication among students in University of Lagos?

2. To what extent does school administration influence the prevalence of self medication among students in University of Lagos?

3. How does peer pressure influence self medication among students in University of Lagos?

1.5 Delimitation of the Study

This is study is delimitated to:

1. University of Lagos.

2. Undergraduate in 100 to 500 level.

3. Four faculties of social sciences, environmental science, engineering, and education.

4. A self developed questionnaire.

5. Self medication.

6. Determinant factors of peer influence, gender, attitude of school clinic staff, over the counter sale of medicines, nature of illness.

1.6 Limitations of the Study    

During the study, the researcher encountered the following limitations:

1. The number of questionnaires distributed is not enough to represent the University of Lagos.

2. Little information is available about the influence of the practice of self medication.

3. Some students who were approached declined participation in the research.

1.7 Significance of the Study  

The researcher expects that through this study the University of Lagos could create strategic solutions to tackle the practice of self-medication among its students. This study is expected to assist future researchers on this topic as a reference.

This research might be an eye-opener to the factors that influence undergraduate of University of Lagos to practice self medication through the specific findings of the study.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

1. Self medication: it is the use of medicine without a doctor’s prescription to treat perceived or real malady or to alleviate distress or pain.

2. Factors: Things that contribute or lead to the practice of self medication.

3. Influence: A power affecting undergraduates’ choice to practice or not to practice self medication.

4. Practice: To perform self medication habitually or usually.

5. Undergraduates: Persons studying at the University of Lagos for a first degree, in both full-time and sandwich programmes.

6. Gender: Characteristics of the undergraduate being male or female.

7. Peer: People who are of equal age, education or social class with the undergraduate.

8. Over- the –counter: Medicines that are sold directly to consumers without prescription from a healthcare professional