Self-medication practices and associated factors among health care workers at mwananyamala referral hospital in kinondoni, dar es salaam

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increasing trend in self-medication among health workers. Self-medication is the use of any drug or medication to treat an illness or ailment without the supervision of a licensed medical doctor/health care providers. Self-medication practice in Tanzania is quite common. However, there is little information with regard to magnitude and associated factors. Objective To assess self-medication practices and associated factors among Health Care Workers at Mwananyamala Referral Hospital in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. Material and method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 health care workers working at Mwananyamala Referral Hospital in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam who met the inclusion criteria. Cluster sampling were used to obtain participants from all the participants’ categories proportionally. Data were collected quantitatively using pretested interviewer administered questionnaire translated in Swahili language by trained research assistants. SPSS software was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable regression analysis with 95% confidence interval were carried out and P-value less than 0.05 was used to determine the significant association between independent variables and dependent variable. Adjusted odds ratio was used to establish association between dependent variable (Self-medication Practices) and independent variables (Factors associated with self-medication practices) among health care workers at Mwananyamala Referral Hospital, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. Results It was found that 95% of the participant were aware of self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication among health care workers found in this study was 69.0%. Familiarity with medications and financial constrains were the commonly mentioned reason for self-medication practice (43.8% and 42.0%).