Vol. 14, Issue 3 (2025)

Author(s):
Nnena Okoro, Tunde Adeyemi, Ngozi Chukwu, John Ojo and Usman Ibrahim

Abstract:
In low- and middle-income countries, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) play a crucial role as non-farm microenterprises, often serving as the primary healthcare providers in areas with limited formal healthcare infrastructure. This descriptive cross-sectional study explores the training gaps and public health implications of PPMV practices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, a region marked by rapid urbanization. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 384 PPMVs from three Area Councils representing urban, peri-urban, and rural settings. Data collection was conducted using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, and the association between formal health training and dispensing competence was evaluated through a chi-square (?²) test. Findings indicate that 78.4% of vendors lacked formal health-related training, which was associated with significant knowledge gaps in managing common health conditions such as malaria and childhood diarrhea. Additionally, a high prevalence of irrational dispensing practices was observed, with 82.3% of vendors admitting to selling antibiotics without a prescription. The study confirmed a statistically significant association between formal health training and adherence to correct antibiotic dispensing protocols (?² = 56.78, df=1, p < 0.001). Despite the considerable public health risks, including the promotion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the study highlights a crucial opportunity for intervention, as a substantial number of vendors expressed a strong willingness to receive further training. The study concludes that targeted, evidence-based training interventions are essential for transforming PPMVs from a public health liability into a valuable asset for health system strengthening and improved community health outcomes.