Assessment of Antibiotic Self-Medication Practices Among University Students in Lagos State, South West Nigeria

Self-medication with antibiotics remains a critical public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young adults in urban settings. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of antibiotic self-medication among undergraduate students at selected universities in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured, self-administered questionnaires distributed to 400 randomly selected students across four institutions. Data collected included demographics, knowledge of antibiotics, frequency and reasons for self-medication, and sources of antibiotic acquisition. The study found that over 60 percent of respondents had self-medicated with antibiotics within the preceding six months, with common infections including upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin conditions cited as primary reasons. Pharmacies and patent medicine stores were the most common sources. Inadequate knowledge regarding appropriate antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, and prescription requirements was associated with higher rates of self-medication. Most respondents were unaware of the implications of incomplete antibiotic courses. The findings underscore the urgent need for pharmacist-led public health education campaigns and stricter enforcement of prescription-only regulations across community pharmacies in Lagos. Recommendations include integrating antibiotic stewardship education into university health programs and strengthening regulatory oversight of medicine sales at patent medicine outlets. This study contributes baseline data for future interventions targeting antimicrobial resistance in urban Nigerian youth populations. Keywords: antibiotic self-medication, Lagos, undergraduate students, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacy practice