Patterns and Practices of Self-Medication Among Students Enrolled at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda
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Date
2020-02-13Author
Niwandinda, Faith
Lukyamuzi, Edward John
Ainebyona, Calvin
Ssebunya, Veronica Nambi
Murungi, Godwin
Atukunda, Esther Cathyln
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Purpose: Self-medication is drug use without advice from a medical professional. Proper
self-medication can reduce health expenses and physician waiting time. However, prescription
or over-the-counter drugs are considered unsafe when used irrationally. Presumably,
university students can make informed decisions regarding their lives. However, there are
limited studies documenting self-medication in Ugandan universities. This study sought to
document the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with self-medication among students
enrolled at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Patients and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 385 medical and
non-medical students. Data were collected by interviewer-led semi-structured questionnaires
and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The
statistical significance was considered as p < 0.05 for both univariate and multivariate
analyses.
Results: This study showed a 63.5% prevalence of self-medication. Self-medication reasons
were classifying illnesses as minor (33%), time-saving (15%), having old prescriptions (11%)
and high consultation fees (9%). Not self-medicating reasons included risk of using wrong drugs
(19%), insufficient knowledge (17%), fear of side effects (15%), wrong drug use (15%) and
misdiagnosis (14%). Respondents accessed drugs from pharmacies (56%), friends/family (17%)
or private clinics (15%). Headache relievers, pain relievers and antibiotics were most commonly
self-medicated. In adjusted analysis, being female, existing allergies, and being in advanced
years of study were associated with increased odds of self-medication. No statistically significant
difference existed between medical and non-medical students regarding self-medication.
Self-medication likelihood increased with a lack of access to medical services.
Conclusion: There is a high rate of self-medication amongst female students, those in advanced
years of study and those with existing allergies. Medical services access significantly reduced the
chances of self-medication. Vital medical services need to be extended to the university students
to receive information on medicines, diagnosis, prescription and treatment. More studies should
evaluate the impact of a high rate of self-medication among these students.
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