Norms Lab

Why Self-Medication Feels Normal and How We Can Change It | Norms Lab Podcast Episode 23


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When most Nigerians fall sick, their first stop isn’t the clinic, it’s the chemist, a neighbour, or a home remedy. It feels normal, even responsible. But this “normal” comes with serious consequences.In 2021 alone, over 50,000 Nigerians died directly from drug resistance, and 47% of adults self-medicated with antibiotics without prescriptions. Behind these numbers are invisible forces, social norms that shape how we make health decisions:

  • “Everyone I know goes to the chemist first.”
  • “My family expects me to try herbs before going to the clinic.”
  • “PHCs don’t have drugs, so I’d rather ask my neighbour or pastor.”


This episode dives deep into how these norms influence trust, delay care, and endanger lives, and how communities can rewrite these habits to make safe choices the normal ones.Join the conversation to learn practical ways we can all shift harmful norms for better health outcomes.🎧 Listen to Episode 23 now: “Norms & Health-Seeking Behaviour.”Let’s challenge the habits that put our health at risk, and rebuild trust in our health system, one conversation at a time.

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Norms LabBy Norms Lab