The Relationship Between Accessibility of Health Facilities and the Prevalence of Self-Medication Practices in a Developing Region

Abstract

Background: The well-being of a population can be influenced by their access to health care services. The prevalent practice of self-medication in developing countries may be a reflection of the inefficiency of the health care system. The practice of self- medication may lead to more serious health problems. This study examined the access of the people to health services and its implication on the practices of self-medication in Ogun State, Nigeria.  

Methods: The study area was stratified into urban and rural settlements and 120 respondents were randomly selected as the study sample. The study used the logit regression model to examine how characteristics of individuals and their views on access to health facilities affect the practice of self-medication. The predictive ability of the regression model showed that 95% of the outcome was correctly predicted.   

Results: The examination of the effect of the predictor variables on the outcome of the model showed that “years of schooling”, “perception of distance”, “acceptability” and “availability” predicted the practice of self-medication. The availability factor had the greatest influence on the practice of self-medication. 

Conclusion:  Health policy planners in developing countries should improve determinant factors such as availability of health care services and their acceptability in the short term. In the long term, the level of education and the distances to health facilities should be improved.