Prevalence of Self- Medication Practice and Associated Factors Among Kabarak University Students

Abstract

Background: Self-medication is a common practice in the world and it is greatly encouraged by the World Health Organization. Rational practice of self-medication confers beneficial effects to the user although the reverse is equally true. Benefits include self-reliance in managing minor illnesses and reduction in medical costs. Untoward effects associated with the practice include emergence of antibiotic resistance, toxicities in cases of overdose and development of tolerance. While self-medication practice has some positive side, the negative effects requires that the extent of its practice is established and where necessary, regulatory interventions considered. Currently, these data are either limited or completely lacking. We therefore assessed the prevalence of self-medication practice and associated factors among students in Kabarak university. 
 Method: Survey-descriptive research design was employed to study students in Kabarak University. Questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample size of 369 participants. Multistage stratified convenient sampling technique was used to select study participants. Ethical and study approval were obtained prior to data collection. 
 Results: Out of the 368 respondents, 82% practiced self-medication with majority being females (195). School of pharmacy reported the highest prevalence rate (22%) among the seven schools in Kabarak University. The main symptom prompting self-medication was reported to be headache (37%) and respiratory associated conditions. Friends and family members were the most common source of information and drug use for self-medication. Majority of participants stated that long delays in the process of seeking for conventional medical attention exacerbated the practice of self-medication. Paracetamol and antibiotics were the most common drugs used for self-medication. 
 Conclusion: Majority of students sampled practice self-medication. Considering the associated negative effects, targeted sensitization programs should be designed and implemented to scale down the practice.