KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

FINAL YEAR PROJECT PROPOSAL

SELF MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN GHANA- A

CASE STUDY OF KNUST
MEMEBERS

SUPERVISOR

1.0 INTRODUCTION

BACKROUD OF STUDY

Self-medication has become one of the key aspect of self-care globally and it is seen as one core

public health problem in the health system. People desire to take responsibility for their illnesses,

reclassifying many drugs as nonprescription own health care management. Many do so via

medications instead of prescription-only medications ( Yaser Mohammed Ali Al-Worafi, Chiau

Ming Long,2015). Self-medication, as one element of self-care, is the selection and use of

medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. It is use of non-

prescription medicines by people on the basis of their own initiatives (WHO,1998). Self-

medication is described as "using medication (modern or traditional) for self-treatment without

consulting a physician for diagnosis, prescription, or treatment surveillance"(Hughes, McElnay

& Fleming, 2001). Medicines for self-medication are often called over-the counter (OTC) drugs”

(Mekonnen, Zelalem & Tezera, 2018, p 2).

Self-medication is fairly common practice in the world, especially in economically deprived

communities. (Dedy Almasdy & Azmi Sherrif 2011; 2(3) pp 95). Several studies have shown
that youths are more susceptible to self-medicate because of lack of understanding of the risks

related with drug use, knowledge on drugs, easy access to drugs and educational status (Flaiti et

al., 2014). Past studies revealed that the prevalence of self-medication among university students

was 45% in Turkey, 76% in Karachi, 88% in Croatia and 94% in Hong Kong (Yaser Mohammed

Ali Al-Worafi, Chiau Ming Long,2015). In developing countries, Alshogran, Alzoubi, Khabour

and Tarah (2018) revealed that 82.3% of medical students self-medicated whiles 73% of non-

medical students self-medicated in Jordan. Again, In Nigeria, Ayodeji et al. (2018) recorded that

82% of students selfmedicated. In Ghana, Bonti (2017) revealed that 70% of tertiary students

self-medicated with antibiotics.

The growing number of OTC drugs and the abuse of medications have been cited as major

obstacles to the effective and safe use of medications. Several studies have shown both beneficial

and harmful effects of self-care practices (Yaser Mohammed Ali Al-Worafi, Chiau Ming

Long,2015). According to Ayodeji et al. (2018), 71% of students had used analgesics, 10.5% had

taken antibiotics, and 33% had taken antimalarial medications without doctor’s prescription

within the previous month before the study. WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical has

grouped the most often used medications into 10 categories namely: analgesics, cough and cold

preparations, nasal preparations, and anti-diarrhoeas (Tesfamariam et al.,2019). Again,

Tesfamariam et al. (2019) discovered that analgesics (34.3%) were the most popular OTC

medications, followed by antipyretics (15.7%) and cough and cold treatments (14.2%) Media

exposure and the increase of pharmaceuticals advertisement pose a larger threat to this

population. It raises concern of incorrect self-diagnosis, drug interaction and use other than for

the original indications. A survey on widely advertised medication indicated that majority of

college student used at least one of the advertised product, without discussing with their
physicians (Dedy Almasdy & Azmi Sherrif 2011; 2(3) pp 95). Economic concerns appear to be

driving students' self-medication habits, implying that they are unable to pay for medical

treatment and that hospital care is associated with long wait times (Donkor, Tetteh-Quarcoo &

Agyemang, 2012). Self-medication, may also be attributed to the rising deregulation of formerly

banned medications in developed countries (Mohamed et al., 2011) Factors such as religion,

marital status, residence and faculty of the student were found to be associated with self-

medication (Sulayman Ademola A, 2017).

When practiced correctly, self-medication has a positive impact on individual and health care

system. It allows patients to take responsibility and build confidence to manage their own health,

thereby, promoting self-empowerment. Furthermore, it can save the time spent in waiting to see

a doctor, maybe economical, and also over saving for medical schemes and the national

healthcare system. The WHO has also pointed out that responsible selfmedication can help

prevent and treat ailments that do not require medical consultation and provides a cheaper

alternative for treating common illnesses (Dedy Almasdy & Azmi Sherrif 2011; 2(3) pp 95).

However, on the contrary ). Such practices can lead to irrational drug use, delay in seeking

medical advice, rise in drugs side effects, and increased pathogen resistance, all of which waste

resources (Helal & Elwafa, 2017).

Research on the practice self-medication is known among students around the globe but in

Ghana, there are few studies conducted to access self-medication among university students.

Thus, for this reasons, this study will investigate and explore the self-medication activities,

perception knowledge on the effects of self-medication and explore a better way the university

health care providers will deal with self-medication among students in KNUST.

PROBBLEM STATEMENT
Internationally, there are several studies conducted on self-medication which reveal that it has

become a great global health problem with several harmful effects. In Tehran, students self-

medicated at an alarming rate of 80.7 % (Arman, Ramezankhani, Zahed & Hossein, 2017).

Stefania et al. (2019) reported that students had the highest percentage among people who used

pharmaceutical drugs to self-medicate in Spain and Pomania. In Africa, specifically Nigeria,

82.3% of students were found to have practiced the act (Ayodeji et al., 2018). Egypt was found

to be 62.9% (Helal et El Wafa., 2017), and finally, 70% of tertiary students in Ghana (Eric et al.,

2012).

The problem of self-medication in KNUST is great menace and has become dangerous as many

students do not seek health care services from the university’s health centers. Although majority

of students have knowledge on the consequences associated with self-medication, they prefer to

seek medication from friends, family members and currently the internet. Media exposure and

the increase of pharmaceuticals advertisement pose a larger threat to this population. It raises

concern of incorrect selfdiagnosis, drug interaction and use other than for the original

indications(Dedy Almasdy & Azmi Sherrif 2011). This issue account to increases the chances of

illicit use of drug and drug dependency and most of all masking the sign and symptoms of

underlying disease hence are complicating the problem, creating drug resistance and delaying

diagnosis (Yaser Mohammed Ali Al-Worafi, Chiau Ming Long,2015). Although the knowledge

of self-medication is known to these students, there is little or no information on the perception,

effects and tools to deal with self-medication. Thus, this study will focus on self-medication

activities among KNUST students, their perception for self-medication and the effects on them

as well as exploring various tools to help deal with self-medication among the students of

KNUST.
1.3. Research Questions

1. What are the perceptions of university students concerning self-medication?

2. What are the adverse effects of self-medication on university students?

3. What are the tools provided to help self-medication students?

1.4. Research Objectives

General Objective

This study is to explore the perception and adverse effects of self-medication among students of

KNUST and also explore various tools to help self-medication students.

Specific Objectives

1. To examine the perceptions and reasons that account for self-medication among KNUST

students.

2. To determine the type and pattern of drugs which the students frequently selfmedicate and the

side effects faced due to consumption of the self-prescribed medicines.

3. To explore various tools to deal with students who involve in self-medication.

Research Hypothesis