PEER INFLUENCE AND SELF ESTEEM AS PREDICTORS OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG THE YOUTH IN THE MIDDLE BELT REGION OF NIGERIA

Over the years, individuals have been visiting the drug stores intending to treat their respective illnesses without expert consultation. Self-medication has been defined as self-prescription and self-administration of drugs by an individual without consulting a medical expert. It is a public health concern. Research has established several predictor variables in self-medication. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the predictive role of peer influence and self-esteem on self-medication practice among the youth in the middle-belt region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was adopted. Two hundred and sixteen youth pooled from four large public health institutions in Kogi and Benue State participated in the study. The participant completed a self-report measure,and a multiple regression model was used to test the hypothesis. The result showed that peerinfluence statistically significantly predicted self-medication practice, while self-esteem did not. The study recommends a robust anti-self-medication campaign.