Extent of misuse and dependence of codeine-containing products among medical and pharmacy students in a Nigerian University

Abstract Background Misuse and dependency of opioids especially codeine-containing products is of increasing global concern. Inappropriate use of opioids among healthcare students could affect quality of service and ethical conducts of these future professionals, thereby putting the society at risk. Objectives To evaluate knowledge and perception of medical and pharmacy students in a Nigerian tertiary University on use of opioids with focus on codeine-containing products. Methods A cross-sectional survey among 335-medical and 185-pharmacy students from University of Ibadan, Nigeria, between September and December 2018, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results Codeine-containing cough syrup was the most commonly used opioid-products (163;31.3%) among the students. Majority (469;90.2%) had good perception about codeine-containing products, while 319(61.3%) had poor knowledge of opioids usage. Logistic-regression shows that students who experienced some side-effects they would like to experience again, 36.31[AOR=36.31, 95% CI: (10.89-121.12)] and those pressured into using codeine-containing products, 11.77[AOR=11.77, CI=95% (2.50-55.38)] had more tendency of misuse. Conclusion Misuse of codeine-containing products among medical and pharmacy students is obvious. Peer-influence and experience of some effects are significant predictors of misuse among the students. Thus, healthcare curriculum should incorporate preventive program on medication misuse, while policy that favours peer-support program on medication misuse is advocated for healthcare students.