Evaluation of Patient Education on Self-Medication Practices Among Hypertensive Outpatients in Kwara State

Background: Self-medication and unsupervised dose adjustments are common among hypertensive patients in Nigeria and represent a significant risk for uncontrolled blood pressure and complications. Nurse-delivered patient education can address this issue. Aim: This study evaluated the effect of nurse-delivered patient education on self-medication practices among hypertensive outpatients in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test assessments recruited 80 hypertensive outpatients allocated to education intervention and control groups. Self-medication practices were measured using the Modified Self-Medication Practice Scale. Data were analysed using paired t-tests in SPSS version 26. Results: Rates of unsupervised medication adjustment declined significantly in the intervention group from 62% to 28% at three months (p < 0.001). Blood pressure control improved in 58% of the intervention group compared with 27% of controls. Conclusion: Nurse-delivered patient education effectively reduces self-medication practices and improves blood pressure control. Structured hypertension education as a routine outpatient nursing intervention should be institutionalised across Nigerian health facilities to reduce cardiovascular complication burden. Keywords: self-medication, hypertension, patient education, Kwara, outpatient nursing.