Perceived associated factors with medication use by undergraduate students during examination periods: a qualitative study

Abstract

The prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate students is a significant public health concern. The achievement of high academic performance by university students, who are largely adolescents and young adults underscores the importance of studying for long hours during examination periods. Adolescents, inclined towards risk-taking and experimentation of new behaviours due to adolescence often resort to self-medication, as part of a coping mechanism to deal with academic pressures; to prolong study hours during examination periods. This practice could increase health risks, reduce treatment efficacy, and increase the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. Using an adaptaption of the precedeproceed model, we identified predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors influencing students' medication use during examinations. Through this qualitative and descriptive study at the University of Lagos with face-to-face in-depth interviews, involving 17 participants drawn from the student population on campus, parents and guardians resident on campus, we found age, gender, a weak regulatory framework, peer and family influence, beliefs, marketing, and role models to be contributing factors associated with the selfmedication by students during examination periods. This underscores the need for context specific guidelines to address these factors in the research setting.