Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey

Abstract

BackgroundSelf-treatment with antimicrobials is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about the prevalence of this practice where malaria transmission intensity is low, and little is known about the prevalence of self-treatment with other medications such as antihypertensives and antihyperglycemics.MethodsA two-stage randomized population-based cluster survey with selection proportional to population size was performed in northern Tanzania. Self-identified healthcare decision-makers from randomly selected households were asked to report instances of self-medication without a prescription in the preceding year. Associations between self-treatment and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed with Pearson’s chi-squared and the Student’s t-test.ResultsA total of 718 participants completed the survey, and 344 (47.9%) reported any household member obtaining medication without a prescription. Of these, 85 (11.8%) obtained an antimicrobial and four (0.6%) obtained an antihypertensive or antihyperglycemic. Of respondents reporting self-treatment, 306 (89.0%) selected the medication themselves. Self-treatment with antimicrobials was associated with post-primary education (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.22–3.16, p=0.005), younger age (43.1 vs 48.7 years, p=0.007) and higher socioeconomic status score (0.42 vs 0.34, p=0.023).ConclusionsSelf-treatment with antimicrobials in an area of low malaria transmission intensity was uncommon and self-treatment with antihypertensives and antihyperglycemics was rare.

Self‐medication practice with antimalarials & the determinants of malaria treatment‐seeking behavior among postpartum mothers in a rural community in Nigeria

“…In a similar study conducted in Nigeria, it was observed that 76.6% of caregivers practice home‐based treatment of malaria for their children with a majority (99%) adopting inappropriate use of drugs for the treatment of malaria 30 . This is because most ACTs are available as over‐the‐counter drugs in most patent and propriety medicine vendor stores (PPMVs) where close to 60% of patients access self‐treatment for febrile conditions including malaria 31‐36 . Reasons adduced for this include the high cost of treating malaria and the low‐income level of postpartum mothers.…”

“…This accrues to an average cost of approximately 11 USD based on a conversion rate of N360 per USD which corroborates the fact that the high cost of treating malaria in the clinic/health centers may have encouraged postpartum mothers to self‐medicate. Therefore, the provision of free antimalarial drugs by the government and a reduction in the cost of treatment in clinics and hospitals will enhance appropriate malaria treatment practices 35‐37 …”

Self-medication among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria: knowledge, attitude, and practices

“…This result is in sharp contrast to a study in Northern Tanzania where the prevalence of self-medication with antihypertensives and anti-diabetic drugs was 0.6%. 17 Such ignorance may result in poor attendance at hypertensive and diabetic follow-up clinics, missed appointments, and poor outcomes of treatment. These misconceptions should be addressed through individualized health education and counseling session during screening clinics, well-person's clinics, and medical specialty clinics.…”

An In-Depth Examination of Reasons for Autopsy Acceptance and Refusal in Northern Tanzania

“…Residents living in the research districts report affiliation with Christianity (81%) and Islam (16%). 15 Islam appeared in coastal East Africa centuries before Christianity, with the expansion of trade in the 19th century spreading Islam to the interior of Tanzania. [16][17][18] Christianity was introduced in the Kilimanjaro Region by German and British missionaries in the 19th century.…”