OBJECTIVES: Self-medication with antibiotics has been a lingering public health challenge in most parts of the world, including Nigeria. This research is aimed at determining the factors that motivate this behavior and the resultant effects.

METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Gwarimpa and Kubwa in Abuja, Nigeria. Participants were within the age range of 18 to 65 years. All statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS: Demographic information showed that out of the 250 participants, 48% (120) were male while 52% (130) were female. The result also showed that the practice of SMA cut across age, gender, marital and educational status. About 89% of the respondents practice SMA either for treatment, prevention or both. Cough/cold, diarrhea and suspected UTIs were the major reasons for this practice. The most frequently used antibiotics were the penicillins, specifically Ampicillin/cloxacillin(63%) followed by quinolones (28%). Tetracycline, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins represented 14%, 11%, and 6.3% usage, respectively. About 37% of respondents complained that the antibiotics no longer work well. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that a significant percentage of the society practice SMA and the behavior cuts across age, gender, marital and educational status. Resistance has also started setting in with some antibiotics due to abuse. Most of the patients however, were not aware of the dangers of SMA.