A Study of the Drug-Holding Pattern Among Female Students in a Nigerian University

Abstract

Background:

There is paucity of information on the drug-holding pattern among female university students in Nigeria. The study objectives are; to examine the types, and sources of drugs used by female university students for self-care; and evaluate the association between the students‘ drug-holding pattern andtheir demographics.

Methods:

Pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from 680 respondents using a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the demographic variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the students‘ drug-holding patternand their demographics at 95% Confidence Intervals.

Results:

The classes of drugs with the students were; antibiotics (24.4%), antimalarials l22%), analgesics (20%), vitamins (9.6%), contraceptives (5%), among others. Sources of drugs were pharmacy shops (41.0%), patent medicine store (30.8%), hospitals (15.5%), and leftover drugs {12.6%).The quantity of drugs held was found to be high and significantly associated with students of age 21-25years (OR: 3.8; 2.4-6.1), single female students (OR: 4.3; 1.3-5.2); divorced (OR: 0.19; 0.11-0.28) and widows (OR: 0.08; 0.04-0.12).

Conclusion:

The students had a wide variety of drugs. This could cause serious health problems Therefore strategies should be put in place to enlighten them on thedangers associated with self-care practices.