title: Use of antibiotics among non-medical students in a Nigerian university.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antibiotic misuse is a major contributory factor to treatment failure, antibiotic resistance and high healthcare costs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate level of self-reported antibiotic misuse among non-medical undergraduate students of a Nigerian university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents' knowledge of antibiotics and disposal system for left-over antibiotics were explored using a structured questionnaire. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics. Chi square was used to evaluate relationship between specific categorical variables and respondents' opinions with p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half the respondents obtained their antibiotics through doctor's prescriptions (273; 68.3%). The study revealed gross antibiotic misuse with majority, (298;74.5%) either by keeping left-over antibiotics for future use or throwing it away with refuse. Respondents (289; 72.3%) sometimes forgot to take the antibiotics. Financial constraints (73; 18.3%), long duration of treatment (70; 17.5%), side effects experienced (60;15.0%), polypharmacy (56;14.0%), tablet size (45;11.3%), and perceived low level of confidence in the prescriber (11; 2.8%) were major reasons for non-adherence. Course of study of respondents had no significant effect on respondents' knowledge or adherence (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Misuse of antibiotics among non-medical undergraduate students in a Nigerian university setting is pervasive suggesting an urgent need for enlightenment on rational use and disposal of antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Sanya
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Titilayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adisa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Segun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010465:Perception; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotic misuse; Nigeria; University Students