Aklilu Tekeba1, Yohanes Ayele2, Belay Negash3, Tigist Gashaw4. 1. Micheta Community Pharmacy, Daro Lebu Health Office, West Harerghe, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia. 3. School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia. 4. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020. METHODS: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%-77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18-24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56-24.21) and 25-34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35-9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40-3.79). CONCLUSION: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care-delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community awareness should be promoted.
BACKGROUND: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020. METHODS: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%-77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18-24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56-24.21) and 25-34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35-9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01-2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40-3.79). CONCLUSION: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care-delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community awareness should be promoted.
Authors: Daniel A Erku; Sewunet A Belachew; Solomon Abrha; Mahipal Sinnollareddy; Jackson Thomas; Kathryn J Steadman; Wubshet H Tesfaye Journal: Res Social Adm Pharm Date: 2020-05-01
Authors: Magdalena Tuczyńska; Rafał Staszewski; Maja Matthews-Kozanecka; Ewa Baum Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-08 Impact factor: 4.614