Self-medication practice in Sire town, West Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Öz
Purpose: A considerable number of individuals in developing countries do not attend physicians for their illnesses; instead they commonly use self-medication. Although responsible self-medication with over the counter (OTC) drugs is often acceptable and promoted as one form of self-care, self-medication with prescription drugs is inappropriate and should always be discouraged. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of self-medication and associated factors in Sire town, West Ethiopia.
Material and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 423 households, which were selected systematically. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaire.
Results: 243 individuals in 230 households perceived illness two weeks prior to the study. Out of them, 66 (27.16%) used self-medication. The practice of self-medication was not significantly associated with sex, educational status, occupation and income of the patients or caregivers. The most frequent illness reported for self-medication was headache (37.89%). Most (84.84%) of the drugs used for self-medication were obtained from drug stores. The relatively lower cost was the major, 21 (31.82%), reason for using self-medication. Analgesics were the largest category of medicinal agents used for self-medication 34(40.96%), followed by antibiotics 20(24.10%), traditional medicines 17(20.48%), antimalarials 4(4.71%), and anthelminthics 3(3.53%).
Conclusion: Self-medication was practiced by considerably large number of the study participants. The prevalence of self-medication with prescription drugs like antimicrobials was also high. Self-medication with these drugs without medical consultation may lead to inappropriate use and thereby contribute to emergence of drug resistance.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kaynakça
- Tenaw A, Tsige G. Self-medication practice in Addis Ababa: A prospective study. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2004;14:1-11.
- Teferra A, Alemayehu W. Self-medication in three towns of North West Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2001;15:25-30.
- Hughes CM, McElnay JC, Fleming GF: Benefits and risks of self-medication. Drug Saf. 2001;24:1027–37.
- Filho L, Antonio I, Lima-Costa MF, Uchoa E. Bambui Project: a qualitative approach to selfmedication. Cad Saude Publica. 2004;20:1661-9.
- The World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI) (2009). Responsible Self-Care and Self-medication.A world Review of Consumers Surveys.Available at www.wsmi.org (last accessed on 25/11/2015).
- The World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI) (2010).The story of self-care and self-medication: 40 yrs of progress, 1970-2010. Available at www.wsmi.org (last accessed on 25/11/2015).
- Al khaja KAJ, Handu SS, James H, Otoom S, Sequeira RP. Evaluation of the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among first-year medical students. Med Princ Pract. 2006;15:270-5.
- WHO. Guidelines for the Regulatory Assessment Of Medical Products For Use In Self-Medication. Geneva, WHO, 2000.
- Tsegaye G. Assessment of knowledge and practice on appropriate use of drugs in urban and rural communities in Jimma zone, south west Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 1998;8:89-97.
- Solomon W, Abebe G. Practice of self-medication in Jimma Town. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2003;17:111-6.
