A review of morbidity pattern among undergraduate Law students that accessed healthcare at a private University clinic in South-west, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: There is a growing youth population in Nigeria’s universities. It is important to understand the prevailing health problems of undergraduate students and provide services that are responsive to their health needs. Hence, this study assessed the morbidity pattern among law undergraduates that accessed care at a private Nigerian university clinic.
Methods: A review of health records of 569 undergraduate law students who attended Babcock University, Iperu campus clinic, Ogun State, from January-December 2018 was conducted. Data were extracted from clinic cards and information on socio-demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and outcome of care were obtained. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and summarised using frequencies and percentages.
Results: The median age of the clinic attendees was 18.7 years and 410 (72.1%) of the clinic attendees were females. Fifth year students accessed care at the University clinic more than other undergraduates, 228 (40.1%). The common morbidities were malaria, 291 (51.1%), respiratory tract infection, 269 (47.3%), malnutrition, 221 (38.8%) and dysmenorrhea, 84 (14.8%). The commonly prescribed class of drugs were analgesics 454 (79.8%), haematinics 401 (70.1%), antibiotics 397 (69.8%), antihistamines 290 (51.0%) and antimalarials 260 (45.7%).
Conclusion: Communicable diseases such as malaria and respiratory tract infections were the most common morbidities among the students studied. The study findings are important in planning university health services aimed at effective prevention and treatment of common morbidities among undergraduates. The university needs to increase sensitization among students with the aim of improving clinic service utilization by students, especially the non-final year students.

Keywords: Health problems; Undergraduate students; Private University; Nigeria