Behavioural Response To Self-Medication Practice Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic in Western Uganda
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Date
2022
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