Self-Medication and its Determinants in Butajira , Southern Ethiopia
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Date
1995-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In developing countries including Ethiopia studies
on drug utilization pattern at community level
particularly on the issue of self-medication and drug
hoarding are rare.
study that was
This community based cross-sectional
supplimented by FGD (Focus Group
Discussion) was carried out in Butajira, Southern
Ethiopia, between September 1994- December 1994 to
determine the extent and determinants of self-medication,
the extent of drug hoarding at household level and to
describe the community's criteria for therapy choice
among modern drugs.
The survey results showed that 1207 (6%) persons
reported to have been ill in the past two weeks preceding
the interview date; out of which 501 (42%) didn't take
any drug or herbal medicine for their illness. Among 706
(58%) respondents who took drugs, 201 (28.5%) self medicated
themselves and the majority 115 (57%) of selfmedications
were carried out by using modern drugs.
Determinants of self-medication with pharmaceuticals
among adults were assessed using bivariate and
mul ti variate analysis; being from meskan sub-ethnic group
came out as a significant determinant { adjusted OR, 3.5
with 95 % CI (1.39, 8.83)}. Six hundred and eighty eight
(14 %) of the studied households found storing drugs and
97% of these households were found storing traditional
herbs. Colour, shape and dosage form are the criteria
for therapy choice. In addition, injections are chosen
as the most important remedy by most participants of the
FGD.
In conclusion, this study highlights
medication is one of the maj or form of
opt i ons in the studied community and it
that selfhealth
care
is largely
carried out with modern pharmaceuticals. Finally, the
study recommended that health education on rational use
of drugs using local native language and local meanings
to pharmaceuticals is essential to avoid inappropriate
use of drugs in self-medication. Studies to evaluate
the effectiveness of drug information media¥ is also
recommended.
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Keywords
Drug Utilization