Assessment of Self-Medication Practices among Cleaners in a Nigerian University Community

Abstract

Background: The use of medications without a doctor's prescription is a common practice, especially in developing countries where medicines are available without prescription. Cleaners, usually referred to as janitors or custodial workers, help keep institutions, particularly colleges, clean and hygienic. They frequently come in contact with a variety of environmental and occupational risks, which could lead to minor illnesses or injuries. They are mostly low-income earners and they often resort to self-medication to treat their health problems without consulting a physician. This study aimed to evaluate the practice of self-medication among cleaners in a university community.

Materials and Methods: Across-sectional survey of cleaners at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife was carried out. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents during a health talk organized for the cleaners using total sampling. Data gathered was summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages.

Results: The Majority (80.6%) of the respondents practiced self-medication because they considered their conditions to be minor (43.6%). Analgesics (55.8%) were the most commonly self-medicated medicine which they used to manage pains (54.8%) and headaches (20.1%). More than half (51.8%) of cleaners obtained these medicines from patent medicine vendors because of their proximity (44.1%).

Conclusion: The practice of self-medication was prevalent among the cleaners. They practiced selfmedication because they considered their medical conditions to be minor. Analgesics were the most commonly used medicines and were mostly obtained from patent medicine vendors.