Behavioural Response To Self-Medication Practice Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic in Western Uganda
Date
2022
Authors
Samuel Sunday, Dare
Ejike, Daniel Eze
Isaac, Echoru
Ibe Michael, Usman
Fred, Ssempijja
Edmund Eriya, Bukenya
Robinson, Ssebuufu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Patient Preference and Adherence
Abstract
Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especially with the increasing number
of cases of COVID-19 disease globally and in Uganda. This may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the
disease, however, the differing prevalence and nature from country to country may influence human behavioral responses.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral response to self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and
lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID period in Western Uganda.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to August 2020 in western Uganda using online Google
forms and printed questionnaires to investigate the level of self-medication practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This
included 280 participants, aged 18 and above who consented to participate in the study. Participants were selected using a convenience
sampling technique, and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and printed questionnaires
to participants who did not use the online Google forms.
Results: Respondents that knew about self-medication were 97% of the 272 participants. Those that are aware of self-medication, have
heard about it either through different avenues. Respondents who practiced self-medication before the COVID-19 pandemic were 239
(88%); those who practiced self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were 156 (57%); those that did not were 115 (43%). There
was a statistically significant decrease in the number of respondents who practice self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic
lockdown compared to the practice before the pandemic lockdown. p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval (OR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.48, 8.32).
Conclusion: Our investigation showed adequate knowledge of self-medication and a high level of self-medication practice with
a decrease in self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the lockdown
Description
Keywords
before and post COVID-19 , self-medication practice , medication , behavioural response , knowledge