Self-Medication among Patients Attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital Out Patient Department Ishaka-Bushenyi District, Western Uganda.
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Date
2017-07
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences, Western campus
Abstract
Self-medication use has led society to antibiotic resistance-a serious health problem
worldwide. AIM: This study aimed to assess prevalence, factors, common drugs used to treat the
common symptoms and sources of the drugs used in self-medication by patients attending
Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Ishaka, Bushenyi district in Western
Uganda. STUDY DESIGN: The cross-sectional descriptive study method was processed using
questionnaires in different out-patient clinics at l<IUTH. In total, 118 patients completed the
questionnaire and were included in the study.RESULTS; More than half of the respondents
98/118 (83.3%) had used drugs (Over the Counter drugs) to treat self-diagnosed illnesses.
Almost half oftherespondents used antibiotics and analgesics either against viral (commonly
cold)or mixed (bacterial and viral) infections. The respondents with lower educational
qualifications (29.7%) and those from rural areas (32%) were significantly less involved in lhe
sell:medication practice.however respondents with high education (70.3%) and tho,e from urban
areas (58%) as around Ishaka town were more involved with the use "Over the Counter drugs ...
There was significant difference between genders, different age groups, or different parenthood
status as shown in Table I.Preferred drugs were Paracetamol (37%), followed by Amoxicillin
(36%) in penicillin class, used to treat respiratory and abdominal symptoms. Respondents carried
out self-medication because they considered their symptoms minor in (39%) as ( l 7%)wanted to
reduce costs required to seek treatment in a hospital setting, and sources of drugs were majorly
pharmacies in (31.6%) of the respondents.CONCLUSION: Rate of self-medication incidence
among the patients in Ishaka, has been shown to be high and is a major public health problem as
it is associated increased emergency antimicrobial resistance and adverse side effects.
RECOMMENDATION: Increase PUBLIC awareness about the clangers of self medication
through community out-reaches by concern organizations as Uganda national drug authority.
Description
A Research Submitted To the School of Allied Health in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the a Ward of A Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health Of Kampala International university Western Campus.
Keywords
Self-Medication, Patients, Western Uganda.