Self-Medication Practice with Antibiotics and Its Associated Factors Among Community of Bule-Hora Town, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Self-medication with antibiotics is being practiced worldwide with high prevalence, mostly in developing countries. Several factors induce the practice of self-medication, such as irrational and uncontrolled dispensing of medicinal substances, difficulty accessing health-care systems, and cost of diagnosis. Thus, this study assessed the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics, and its associated factors among the community of Bule-Hora town, South West Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was used. All households residing in Bule Hora town were used as source population and households in the selected kebeles were included by using a systematic random sampling method. Eight hundred twenty-six study participants were selected for the study. Pre-tested structured questionnaires had been used to collect the required data. Then the collected data were checked for completeness and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Odds ratios with 95% C.I. were used to measure the association between independent variables and outcome and variables with p-value <0.05 had been considered statistically significant. Results Prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in the past 12 months prior to the data collection was found to be 38.9% [95% CI (1.56, 1.64)]. Being male (AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 0.489, 0.869) with p value of 0.004, no health insurance scheme (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 0.274, 0.779) and availability of some drugs in shop (AOR = 12.98; 95% CI: 0.017, 0.353) with p value of 0.001 were found to be significantly associated with self-medication of antibiotics. Conclusion The study revealed that more than one-third of the respondents practiced self-medication. Availability and irrational dispensing of some drugs in the shops were significantly associated with self-medication practice. Therefore, it is important to educate society on the appropriate use of drugs and discourage the use of prescription drugs without medication order.

Prevalence and predictors of self-medication with antibiotics in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A pre-test and structured questionnaire was employed to gather relevant data. Kassa et al, 2022 [ 30 ] The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique. Samples were selected using a lottery method.…”

“… 60.1% Common cold (32.6%), common febrile illness (28.7%), diarrhea (27.1%), malaria (3.7%). Kassa et al 2022 [ 30 ] Respiratory problems 29 40.3 Gastro intestinal problems 28 38.9 Skin problems 3 4.2 Urinary tract problems 6 8.3 Unidentified cases 6 8.3 Demissie et al 2022 [ 32 ] Aches and pains (15.5%) Typhoid and typhus (8.1%) Cough (6.3%) Community acquired Pneumonia (CAP) (3.4%) Diarrhea (4.3%) amebiasis (2.5%) Tonsillitis (1.7%) wound (1.5) Mossa et al 2012 [ 35 ] Headache 30(38.5) Fever 28(35.9) Cough 11(14.1) Diarrhea 8(10.2) Abdominal pain 8(10.2) Joint & back pain 28(35.9) Nausea & vomiting 6(8.5) Other 6(8.5)...…”

Self-Medication Practices among Adult Population in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The self-reported reasons for choosing SM are varied and include insufficient time to consult with medical personnel, inability to schedule a quick appointment, long distances and travel times to reach the nearest hospitals and clinics, limited openings for immediate treatment from a hospital during busy hours, lack of healthcare services, and unaffordable consulting fees for medical doctors [ 16 ]. Studies conducted in Europe [ 17 ], South West Ethiopia [ 18 ], and Bangladesh [ 19 ] show that individuals choose SM for common ailments like fever, cold, acidity, abdominal pain, cough, headache, back pain, typhoid, typhus, cough, community-acquired pneumonia, diarrhea, amebiasis, tonsillitis, wounds, allergies, and diarrhea.…”

Healthcare seeking outside healthcare facilities and antibiotic dispensing patterns in rural Burkina Faso: A mixed methods study

“…Previous studies evaluating antibiotic access and use outside facilities in LMICs concluded that long waiting times in healthcare facilities, easy and unrestricted accessibility of drug retail outlets in communities, and a lower cost per treatment course dispensed were the main reasons for accessing antibiotics without prior formal consultation [16][17][18]. While largely overlooked in antimicrobial stewardship, antimicrobial dispensing and use outside healthcare facilities may contribute towards maintaining a high AMR burden [19][20][21].…”