Daily Experience of Residents of the Masanga-Mbila District on Self-Medication at Home, in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: The delivery of medication is an act emanating from health professionals who have this task in their responsibilities and more particularly the pharmacist. The aim of this study is to understand the way in which the population of the Masanga-Mbila district experiences the phenomenon of self-medication on a daily basis. Methods: It is a descriptive study falling within qualitative research of the phenomenological type. She is carried out among the population of the Masanga district Mbila, commune of Mont- Ngafula, city of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is an environment where observations have been made on this frequent practice of self-medication. The target population was made up of household managers within the population of the Masanga-Mbila district. The phenomenological survey method and the structured interview technique made it possible to collect information concerning the population's experience of self-medication. Results: After analysis thematic, we arrived at the results following: The Experience in the practice of self-medication was focused on three points: Self-medication is seen as a first resort before going to the hospital. Respondents put forward two reasons for their recourse to self-medication, the lack of financial means and the fact of having knowledge about medications and their use. In their experience, the respondents revealed in their receipt some consequences linked to the practice of self-medication, in particular rebellion and worsening of the illness. In the recommendations that they have formulated towards the community user, they wish that these latest can resort to self- medication only to relieve small sufferings and then always be to consult; and towards sellers of medicines, to avoid delivering medicines without a prescription medical. Conclusion: to contribute to the reduction of this practical, it falls under the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen pharmaceutical inspection and establish a system permanent control to ensure rational sale of products in our country; require pharmacies to only deliver medicines on medical prescription; s raise awareness among the population about the abuse of self-medication.