Introduction: The practice of auto-medication is on the rise in most sub-Saharan countries. The effects of these may be associated with increased drug resistance in the future, complication of the course of a disease,...Introduction: The practice of auto-medication is on the rise in most sub-Saharan countries. The effects of these may be associated with increased drug resistance in the future, complication of the course of a disease, adverse drug interactions etc. Auto-medication is of course a global public health concern, which requires appropriate attention to evade future undesirable effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, prevalence and associated determinants of auto-medication in the Limbe municipality. Method: This was a community-based cross-sectional study, conducted among 284 enrolled participants in Limbe Health District between January to August 2021. A structured questionnaire-based interview was used to collect data from each study subject. Then, data were categorised and analysed using SPSS version 20 software. Results: Majority of 213 (75%) of the participants practised auto-medication. The most frequently reported auto-medication symptoms were fever and headache 202 (71.1%). 95 (15.6%) practised auto-medication because they believed it saved time, meanwhile 5 (0.8%) had the belief that health personnel are too busy in the hospital with lots of patients to serve. Concerning knowledge, 68.9%, 13.1% and 18.2% had grading as Good, Poor and uncertain respectively. 58.3% of participants had a positive attitude towards auto-medication while 12.7% were indifferent. Factors associated with the use of auto-medication included: Age (p Conclusion: The prevalence of auto-medication remains increasingly high;there is a need for community sensitization to avert the negatives of such practices. The knowledge on auto-medication is fairly above average.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries. There is increasing ev...<strong>Background:</strong> The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries. There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The Northwest region of Cameroon has been affected by socio-political crisis since 2016, which has slowed down economic activities and have grievous effects on the economy. It was therefore necessary to evaluate the prevalence of auto-medication amongst pregnant women. <strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study is to ascertain the knowledge, prevalence and practice of auto medication among pregnant women in Cameroon especially in the North West Region. <strong>Method:</strong> A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women, aged between 15 - 45 years in the Bamenda Health District between January to October 2019. A structured questionnaire based interview was used to collect data from each study subject. Then, data were categorized and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. <strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of auto-medication (allopathic and herbal medicines) in this study was 337 (67.4%) and was predominant during the first trimester 246 (72.86%) of pregnancy. 98 (29.09%) previous experience, 70 (20.77%) that they did not have money for consultation, 70 (20.77%) non-severity of ailments and 75 (22.25%) high cost of medication in hospital/pharmacy were the most common reason pregnant women auto medicate. 96 (28.48%) antiemetic, 72 (21.36%) analgesics and 58 (17.21%) antacids were the most frequent drugs used for auto-medication and the main symptoms for which pregnant women practice auto-medication were: 72 (21.36%) fever/headache, 63 (18.69%) constipation and 58 (17.21%) nausea/vomiting. 116 (34.42%) friends/family/neighbors were the main source of recommendation in auto medication. 96 (28展开更多
文摘Introduction: The practice of auto-medication is on the rise in most sub-Saharan countries. The effects of these may be associated with increased drug resistance in the future, complication of the course of a disease, adverse drug interactions etc. Auto-medication is of course a global public health concern, which requires appropriate attention to evade future undesirable effects. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, prevalence and associated determinants of auto-medication in the Limbe municipality. Method: This was a community-based cross-sectional study, conducted among 284 enrolled participants in Limbe Health District between January to August 2021. A structured questionnaire-based interview was used to collect data from each study subject. Then, data were categorised and analysed using SPSS version 20 software. Results: Majority of 213 (75%) of the participants practised auto-medication. The most frequently reported auto-medication symptoms were fever and headache 202 (71.1%). 95 (15.6%) practised auto-medication because they believed it saved time, meanwhile 5 (0.8%) had the belief that health personnel are too busy in the hospital with lots of patients to serve. Concerning knowledge, 68.9%, 13.1% and 18.2% had grading as Good, Poor and uncertain respectively. 58.3% of participants had a positive attitude towards auto-medication while 12.7% were indifferent. Factors associated with the use of auto-medication included: Age (p Conclusion: The prevalence of auto-medication remains increasingly high;there is a need for community sensitization to avert the negatives of such practices. The knowledge on auto-medication is fairly above average.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> The excessive use of medicines and generally self-medication is considered as one of the major health and socio-economic problems in different countries. There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The Northwest region of Cameroon has been affected by socio-political crisis since 2016, which has slowed down economic activities and have grievous effects on the economy. It was therefore necessary to evaluate the prevalence of auto-medication amongst pregnant women. <strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study is to ascertain the knowledge, prevalence and practice of auto medication among pregnant women in Cameroon especially in the North West Region. <strong>Method:</strong> A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 pregnant women, aged between 15 - 45 years in the Bamenda Health District between January to October 2019. A structured questionnaire based interview was used to collect data from each study subject. Then, data were categorized and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. <strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of auto-medication (allopathic and herbal medicines) in this study was 337 (67.4%) and was predominant during the first trimester 246 (72.86%) of pregnancy. 98 (29.09%) previous experience, 70 (20.77%) that they did not have money for consultation, 70 (20.77%) non-severity of ailments and 75 (22.25%) high cost of medication in hospital/pharmacy were the most common reason pregnant women auto medicate. 96 (28.48%) antiemetic, 72 (21.36%) analgesics and 58 (17.21%) antacids were the most frequent drugs used for auto-medication and the main symptoms for which pregnant women practice auto-medication were: 72 (21.36%) fever/headache, 63 (18.69%) constipation and 58 (17.21%) nausea/vomiting. 116 (34.42%) friends/family/neighbors were the main source of recommendation in auto medication. 96 (28
