Author/Date | Country | Objective | Sample Size | Prevalence | CI | Sources NPA | Main findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abdulraheem, et al., 2016 [33] | Nigeria - Rural | To estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with to SMA | 150 | 63% | 95% | Drug stores Pharmacy Friends/family Remnant stock | Easy access to information from drug indices, medical literature and colleagues gives the sense of control. Misplaced lead to inappropriate self-medication. |
Aditya, et al., 2013 [34] | India – Urban | To compare features of SMA among undergraduate dental students. | 1150 | 82.2% | 95% | Pharmacy Home cabinet | Level of education significantly influenced. Males more prone to self-medication than females. Economic factors – SMA is cheaper and affordable. |
Albawani, et al., 2016 [41] | Sana City - Yemen Rural/urban | To determine the prevalence of SMA and its associated risk factors. | 363 | 87.1% | 95% | Community drug dispensers Friends/family Remnant stock | Poor medication knowledge lack of awareness, Poor dispensing control |
Bilal, et al.,2016 [30] | Sindh City - Paquistan Rural | To evaluate the prevalence and practice of self-medication with antibiotics | 400 | 81.25% | 95% | Pharmacies Corner stores Home cabinet | Population, self-medicating had low level of education, with almost half of them uneducated, and mostly belonging to the low socioeconomic class. |
Ramay, et al., 2015 [48] | Guatemala-Rural/Urban | To compare the magnitude of SMA and the characteristics of Those who self-medicate with antibiotics in four pharmacies | 418 | 78% | 95% | Pharmacy left over from previous prescriptions Family member Friend Publicity, Internet | Differences in socio-economic characteristics have been cited as a determinant for self-medication practices Motives for SMA were centered on the cost of medical visits. |
Ramay, et al., 2017 [31] | Guatemala City Urban | To understand the practice of SMA in four Guatemalan private pharmacies by comparing the characteristics of SMA in Guatemala, sources of information used, perceived effects of SMA and motives | 230 | 79% | 80% | Pharmacies Supermarket Corner stores From home (previously purchased) Pharmacy employee Family, Friend | High proportions of self-medication were similar in both pharmacies, despite the differences in monthly income and educational level. |
Nigeria Urban | To estimate the prevalence of SMA and evaluating the socio-demographic factors associated with the practice | 471 | 93.9% | NS | family and friend’s leftovers Community Pharmacy Hospital pharmacy | Respondents with higher educational level showed higher prevalence of SMA than those with lower educational qualification. SMA because of lack of funds to purchase drugs or pay hospital bills. Familiarity of the population to Beta lactam class this class of antibiotics could contribute to their misuse and abuse. The high consultation of patent medicine dealers for drug and health information is appalling and should be discouraged. | |
Senadheera, G. et al., 2017 [45] | Sri lanka - Rural | To determine the period prevalence of SMA in the Colombo District and to describe the reasons for SMA, its utilization pattern and socio-economical determinants | 431 | 80.4%. | 95% | Pharmacy Left over previous prescription Given to another person Left over from previous prescription Contact in hospital Friend | The study has provided data about the practice of SMA in Colombo district and identified an important area to be addressed in antibiotic stewardship programmes. |
Sah, A. et al. 2016 [50] | Nepal- Urban | To estimate the prevalence of SMA among nursing students and evaluate factors associated. | 500 | 91% | 95% | Previous experience of same illness Seen previously doctor prescription Advice from colleagues and seniors | It was reported using antibiotics for an inappropriate duration of time, and few of them knew the dosage of drugs used. |
Shah, S. et al., 2014 [46] | Pakistan – Urban | To provide the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics amongst the university students of Karachi. | 431 | 80.4% | NS | NS | The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the non-medical university students was high despite the awareness of adverse effects. Antibiotic resistance was a relatively unknown terminology. |
Shiavong, A. et al., 2017 [51] | Laos- Urban/Rural | To describe antimicrobial self-medication for reproductive tract infections (RTI) including sexually transmitted infections (STI), and to explore the understanding and use of health information among the adult population | 500 | 91% | NS | Pharmacies, Following previous treatment Nurse Drug seller Friend Parents/relative | More than three quarters of respondents, self-medicating for RTI/STI with antimicrobials, used inappropriate drugs bought from private pharmacies. There is a need to improve RTI/STI management, including health promotion, through interventions at community level, and to health providers, including private drug sellers. |