TITLE:
Prevalence of Self-Medication and Associated Factors among Healthcare Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Zambia
AUTHORS:
Steward Mudenda, Victor Daka, Scott Kaba Matafwali, Manal Hadi Ghaffoori Kanaan, Sura Saad Abdullah, Shafiq Mohamed, Webrod Mufwambi, Maisa Kasanga, Benjamin Mulenga, Billy Chabalenge, Ruth Lindizyani Mfune
KEYWORDS:
Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance, Painkillers, Self-Medication, COVID-19, Healthcare Students
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The global effects of
COVID-19 on individuals worsened the problem of self-medication (SM), a driver
of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information
documented on the prevalence of SM among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of SM and
associated factors among healthcare students at the University of Zambia. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 healthcare students using
a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0.
Statistical significance was conducted at a 95% confidence level. Binary
logistic regression was used to determine the factors that were associated with
self-medication. Results: Of the 323 participants, 51.4% were female and
67.8% were from the program of pharmacy. The
prevalence of SM was 95% with paracetamol (36.5%), azithromycin (19.3%), and
chlorpheniramine (13.6%) being the most used medicines. The most common conditions that students
experienced included headaches (22.6%), sneezing (13.6%), fever (8.7%), and
coughing/sneezing (5.6%). SM practices were due to
fear of contracting COVID-19 from healthcare facilities (21.4%), time-consuming
at healthcare facilities (19.2%), and knowledge of medicines acquired in school
(18.9%). Older students, aged between 34 and 50 years were less likely to
practice SM compared to those who were younger (OR = 0.068,
95% CI: 0.015 - 0.304). Furthermore,
students who were aware of SM were more likely to practice SM than those who
were not aware (OR = 32.866, 95% CI: 7.751 - 139.525). Conclusion: This study found high awareness and prevalence of SM
among healthcare students with painkillers, antibiotics,
and anti-allergies overused to
treat symptoms. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics may lead to antimicrobial
resistance, thus the need to
promote antimicrobial stewardship even in universities. There is a need to promote the rational use of medicines during
COVID-19 and other future public health emergencies.