Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Dec 2021)
Extent of and Factors Associated with Self-Medication among Clients Visiting Community Pharmacies in the Era of COVID-19: Does It Relieve the Possible Impact of the Pandemic on the Health-Care System?
Abstract
Aklilu Tekeba,1 Yohanes Ayele,2 Belay Negash,3 Tigist Gashaw4 1Micheta Community Pharmacy, Daro Lebu Health Office, West Harerghe, Ethiopia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia; 3School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tigist GashawDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, PO Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaTel +251-91-202-7244Fax +256668081Email [email protected]: Self-medication is one aspect of self-care that has been shown to benefit primary health care. When done correctly, it provides significant benefits to customers, such as self-reliance and cost savings. Inappropriate methods, on the other hand, such as incorrect self-diagnosis and therapy selection, can be disastrous. The COVID-19 pandemic context may benefit the community in easing the burden on the health system. There have been no studies conducted on this possibility in the context of COVID-19 in a selected area, hence the purpose of this study was to determine the extent of and factors associated with self-medication among clients visiting community pharmacies in west Harerghe, Ethiopia from June 1 to 30, 2020.Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study used a systemic random sample of 416 community-pharmacy clients. To collect data, face-to-face interviews were conducted using pretested semistructured questionnaires modified from established techniques. EpiData 3.1 was used to enter data and SPSS 24 for analysis. To determine factors associated with self-medications, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. AORs with 95% CIs are used to report associations, and the level of significance was set at P< 0.05.Results: The proportion of people self-medicating was 73.6% (95% CI 69.2%– 77.9%). Self-medications were significantly associated with age 18– 24 years (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.56– 24.21) and 25– 34 years (AOR 3.54, 95% CI 1.35– 9.27), Amhara ethnicity (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.01– 2.94), current single status (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15– 0.51), government employment (AOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12– 0.82), and limited knowledge (AOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40– 3.79).Conclusion: Three in four participants practiced self-medication in the era of COVID-19. Repetition was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, current marital status, type of occupation, and knowledge about self-medications. An alternative medical care–delivery system by all health-care providers and increasing community awareness should be promoted.Keywords: self-medication, community pharmacy, COVID-19, Ethiopia
