ABSTRACT
The practice of self-medication is increasingly becoming a serious issue of public health
concern especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Analgesics are one of the most
common classes of drugs involved in the practice of self-medication. This study aimed to
determine the prevalence of self-medication with analgesics among artisans in Nnewi,
Anambra, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 430 artisans in
Nnewi town using a multi stage sampling technique. The prevalence of self-medication with
analgesics was found to be 75.8%. The most commonly used analgesic was paracetamol
(83.1%) and Ibuprofen (31.9%). Headache was the most common indication for self
medication with analgesics and the perception of the illness as being unserious was found to
be the most recurring reason for self-medication. More than half of the participants (56%) had
a good knowledge of the practice of self-medication with analgesics. A statistically significant
association was found with age (χ2 = 31.522; p = 0.001), marital status (χ2 = 31.524; p = 0.001)
and level of education (χ2 = 14.796; p < 0.005). The prevalence of self-medication with
analgesics was high even when more than half of the study participants had a good knowledge
of the practice of self-medication with analgesics. Thus, public health interventions that
involves the education of artisans and the entire public on the health implications of
irresponsible self-medication with analgesics is important.
Keywords: Analgesics, artisans, knowledge, self-medication, Anambra State
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