Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of self-medication among undergraduates of
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Specifically, it determined common ailments that
predispose undergraduates of UNN to self-medication; consequences of self-medication
practices among the undergraduates and measures that could be adopted to curb self-
medication among undergraduates. The study adopted a survey research design. It was
conducted at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus. Questionnaire was used to collect
data. Data were analysed using mean. Findings reveal eight common ailments that
predispose undergraduate’s involvement in self-medication. These include; headache (
4.30), malaria ( 4.30), sexually transmitted infections ( 3.57), common cold and flu (
4.27), heart burns ( 3.50), nausea ( 3.22), and stomach ache ( 4.20), among others.
Fifteen Measures that could be adopted to curb self-medication practices were also
identified. The measures include among others, medical centre staff members should be
humane and caring when attending to sick students ( 4.42), Pharmacists should not
dispense drugs to students without prescription from qualified medical personnel (
4.37); and University medical Centre should be in close proximity to students’ residential
areas ( 4.35). Based on the findings, five recommendations were made include that:
university administrations should ensure that cost of healthcare services for students is
reduced; undergraduates should be constantly educated by relevant bodies through
workshops, seminars on the danger of self-medication.