Prevalence and factors associated with anti-malarial drugs self- medication among first-year undergraduate students at Makerere University Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease that requires timely and accurate diagnosis followed by prompt treatment. As such, self-medication can be risky and may lead to improper management of the illness. While self-medication for malaria using over-the-counter drugs is common in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, limited research has focused on its prevalence and associated factors among first-year undergraduate students at Makerere University in Kampala. This study set out to assess the prevalence of anti-malarial self-medication and identify the factors influencing this practice among first-year students at the university. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, associated factors and perceptions related to anti-malarial self-medication among first year undergraduate students at Makerere University. The findings are intended to inform policies and interventions aimed at regulating self- medication practices within the institution. A cross-sectional study design employing quantitative data collection methods was conducted among first year undergraduate students at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda with an estimated sample size of 608 participants. Stratified sampling was used to ensure representation across the different colleges. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered by trained research assistants. The questionnaire capture information on individual factors, medical related factors, healthcare system related factors, knowledge about malaria and self- medication as well as perceptions towards self-medication practices. Data analysis was performed using STATA Corp version 16. Chi square tests and Modified Poisson regression were used to identify factors associated with antimalarial self-medication. In this study, 46% (120/259) of respondents who reported experiencing a malaria episode in the past six months self-medicated with antimalarial drugs. The most common used drug was coartem (95%,114/120), followed by fansidar (21.6%, 26/120) and chloroquine (10.8%, 13/120). Several factors were significantly associated with self-medication. Married students were more likely to self-medicate compared to their single counterparts [APR: 1.59; 95% CI: (1.14–2.23)]. Students who reported waiting times longer than two hours at health facilities also had a higher likelihood of self-medication [APR: 1.47; 95% CI: (1.06–2.04)]. Conversely, the availability of anti-malarial drugs at health facilities was associated with a reduced likelihood of self-medication [APR: 0.69; 95% CI: (0.55–0.86)], as was trust in the quality of healthcare services [APR: 0.76; 95% CI: (0.60–0.96)].The majority of students reported that they were not confident in their ability to take anti-malarial medication correctly without a professional prescription or to manage potential side effects or adverse reactions that might result from self-medication.