Abstract
Professionalism and integrity are integral attributes of the pharmacy profession. This study was set out to determine the perceptions towards and actual indulgence in academic dishonesty among Nigerian Pharmacy students and to compare these with results obtained in the United Kingdom. Final year and third year pharmacy students of University of Nigeria (UNN) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), all in Nigeria, were asked to complete a survey instrument consisting of 16 activities considered to be cheating. Data on perceptions and previous indulgence in such activities were collected and analysed with appropriate statistical tools. Three hundred and sixty six students participated (overall participation rate, 72.8%; UNN: n=216, 59.0%; OOU: n=150, 41%) in the study while male and female students were distributed almost equally (male: 48.6% and female: 51.4%). More students cheated in their coursework than in examination (54.2 vs. 45.8%, p<0.05), while significantly more final year students in OOU indulged in cheating (74.6 vs. 62.1%, p<0.05). Overall, significantly more students in UNN cheated than those in OOU (81.5 vs. 68%, p=0.002). In comparison with students of University of Portsmouth, proportionally more Nigerian students participated in all eleven selected scenarios than UK students. Nigerian pharmacy students generally have a poor perception towards academic dishonesty and acts of such dishonesty are prevalent among these students. Key words: Academic dishonesty, Nigeria, pharmacy practice, professionalism.
Highlights
Pharmacy as a profession prides itself on high ethical standards and integrity
Some schools of pharmacy have employed strategies to curb the high prevalence of academic dishonesty among its students, with the use of examination proctors and anti-plagiarism software but these are not within the reach of schools in developing countries (Paiscik and Brazeau, 2010)
The first used in this study; University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), is Nigeria’s first indigenous university and its school of pharmacy graduates an average of 170 students annually
Summary
Pharmacy as a profession prides itself on high ethical standards and integrity. These qualities endear this profession to patients and other healthcare providers enabling trust to be built upon and subsequently mutual benefits achieved by both parties. Some schools of pharmacy have employed strategies to curb the high prevalence of academic dishonesty among its students, with the use of examination proctors and anti-plagiarism software but these are not within the reach of schools in developing countries (Paiscik and Brazeau, 2010). Even if they eventually became available, their implementation and effective management could be yet another hurdle to climb
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