DOI: njcpt.com.ng/101.1.2.4
Correspondence: Kayode Joshua Awogbemi
Contact: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration,
Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
E-mail: joshgbemi@yahoo.com
Phone number: +234-8065638598
Abstract
Background: Self-medication is on the increase globally especially in developing countries where medicines are available without prescriptions and the people prefer to manage their health challenges themselves rather than seek medical advice for various reasons. Orthopaedic conditions are usually chronic in nature and are prone to self-medication.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate self-medication practices among patients attending orthopaedic clinic at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Nigeria.
Methods: Patients that presented to the clinic and were aged 18 years and above were administered the questionnaire. A total of 202 patients that met the inclusion criteria and gave their consent were sampled. Data gathered were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 for data analysis and management. Descriptive and inferential statistics including frequencies, percentages and chi square were used to summarize the data.
Results: Fracture (26.2%) secondary to accident and lower limb pain (21.4%) were the most common presenting complaints even though non-fracture associated pains accounted for 57.4% of the overall. One hundred and forty-eight (73.3%) practiced selfmedication before reporting to the hospital; and paracetamol and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (46%) were the medicines most commonly implicated. Out of 91 that responded to the use of additional medicines apart from the prescribed, 26 (28.6%) indicated that they used additional medicines.
Conclusion: A considerable number of the respondents indulged in self-medication before reporting to the hospital, with majorly analgesics (paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Keywords: Self-medication, Orthopaedic, Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.