Self-Medication with Antibiotics and Antimalarials in the Community of Silte Zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

AIM: Self-medication with antibiotics and antimalarials occurs among the population in Ethiopian. We studied to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and antimalarials in Ethiopia and evaluate factors associated with self-medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 405 households, selected from Silte Zone in South Ethiopia, using a random sampling technique by employing a pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Chi-square test was used to observe the association of variables. RESULT: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/ antimalarials in this study was 14.5%. Twenty seven (6.7%) participants were self medicated with antibiotics, 2.7% used antimalarials drugs while 21 (5.2%) used both. Level of monthly income and educational status significantly influence pattern of antibiotics and antimalarials self medication (P<0.05).The top three diseases that led to self medication in this study were headache (38.5%), fever (35.9%), and cough (14.1%). Among self-medicated antibiotics, Amoxicillin (13.5%) followed by Ciprofloxacin (8.5%) were the most commonly used class of drug. From antimalarials chloroquine (10.1%) were highly abused. The main source of antibiotics /antimalarials was pharmacies (59.0%) followed by shops (Kiosks) (17.9%). The majority (20.5%) of the respondents practiced self medication to avoid waiting time at health facilities. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication with anti-biotic/ antimalarials in the study community was low. Self medication tended to be higher in people with a higher education and those on higher monthly incomes. The major reason for self-medication is found to be to avoid waiting time at health facility. Community pharmacies are the major source drugs. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2012; 11(5.000): 529-536]