Self-Medication Practice and Associated Factors Among Health Science Students in Central Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Self-medication practice is highly prevalent worldwide despite the scaled-up campaigns to refrain from using drugs without a prescription. Inadequate knowledge has been associated with the increasing practice of self-medication among students. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and explore factors associated factors with the practice among health science students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dodoma, where 255 students were interviewed using a self-administered adapted questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using SPSS version 25. Results: Self-medication prevalence was 69%. Paracetamol (52.1%) and Ibuprofen (29.4%) were primarily used for relief of headache (76.7%) and menstrual pain (18.2%). Among the studied students, 59.6% had inadequate knowledge, while 60.8% had a positive attitude towards self-medication. Mode of hospital payment (cash) (AOR=3.75; 95% CI: 1.868-6.825 p<.001) and household income (<10,000TSh) (AOR=2.868; 95% CI: 1.355-6.071 p=.006) were significantly associated with self-medication practice. Conclusion: Self-medication practice among health science students is prevalent. Inadequate knowledge and low socioeconomic status play a significant role in self-medication practice. Increasing students’ access to inexpensive healthcare options and counselling services may help in reducing self-medication practices.