Pattern of antibiotic use and the influence of unregistered medicine sellers on students and staff of School of Life Sciences, Bamidele Olumilua University, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria
Résumé
Purpose: To investigate the consequences of patronizing unlicensed and unregistered medicine sellers, focusing on the risks associated with self-medication, the rise of drug-resistant strains of diseases, and the socioeconomic impacts of this issue. Method: This survey was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 491 people aged 10 – 50 years, randomly selected from the School of Life Sciences. A predesigned Google form was circulated for data collection. The study was conducted from 1st March to 31st May 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) to examine associations between categorical variables. Result: A survey involving 491 participants revealed that 211 (44.8 %) of respondents reported obtaining medications from chemists, while 191 (40.6 %) sought medical advice from a doctor when feeling unwell. The findings highlight a concerning prevalence of self-medication, with many individuals acknowledging that they acquire medications without prescriptions. Furthermore, 131 (27.8 %) participants experienced negative outcomes from their dealings with Unlicensed and unregistered medicine sellers, emphasizing the lack of professional guidance in medication dispensing. These results point to an urgent need for regulatory measures to oversee the activities of unregistered medicine sellers and promote safe medication practices. Conclusion: There is widespread reliance on unlicensed medicine sellers, reflecting a troubling trend of self-medication among the population. These practices increase the risk of adverse drug reactions and treatment failures and also contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases. There is therefore a need for stricter regulation of informal drug markets, improved access to qualified healthcare providers, and intensified public health education to promote responsible medication use and safeguard public health.
Citer ce document
Accès au document
Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter
Voir l'article sur le site de la revueStatistiques
Consultations : 1
Téléchargements : 0