Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication with Antifungal Drugs and Herbal Products Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt

Abstract

Background and Purpose Irrational use of drugs for self-medication (SM) is a worldwide public health problem which results in treatment failure, economic loss, and increased burden of morbidity and mortality. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore SM with antifungal drugs and herbal products among university students in Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional sectional study was conducted over 7 months among 403 university students in Egypt. The students were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire through an online Google form. Questionnaire items included socio-demographic characteristics of the students, practice of and attitude towards SM with antifungal drugs, and SM with herbal products. Results Prevalence of SM with antifungal drugs among students stood at 38.2%. The main reasons for SM with antifungal drugs were perceiving their health problem as being minimal, followed by having fears of a doctor’s visit. About 73% of the students thought that SM was not a safe practice. Older age (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI= 1.3–1.8), affiliation to a private university (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI= 2.2–6.4), and being a medical student (AOR =2.4, 95% CI= 1.3–4.5) were the significant predictors of SM with antifungal drugs. A high prevalence of SM with herbal products (70.7%) was reported, with most students having used some form of herbal weight loss preparation (64%). Being a Cairo resident (AOR= 2.4, 95% CI =1.5–3.8, P<0.05) and being a medical student (AOR= 2.1, 95% CI =1.3–3.4, P<0.05) were the significant predictors of SM with herbal products. Conclusion In the current study, SM was common among Egyptian university students. Providing counseling and public health education to university students with regards to SM is crucial. Implementing strict regulations and the full enforcement of excitant laws pertaining to the use of medication supplies is also needed. Herbal products should face the scrutiny of evidence-based medicine. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of SM among university students.

Global Burden of Fungal Infections and Antifungal Resistance from 1961 to 2024: Findings and Future Implications

“…This challenge has been worsened by the readily availability of antifungal agents [118] [119]. Besides, AFR has been driven by the ease of access to antifungal agents and increased self-medication practices among individuals [120]. AFR is considered a global health security concern [121] [122] [123].…”

Instrumento sobre conhecimento, atitudes e práticas da automedicação em estudantes universitários

“…Diversos fatores estão relacionados à prática da automedicação entre estudantes universitários, como acessibilidade informal aos medicamentos, longa evolução clínica da doença, exposição às mídias sociais, falta de tempo, custo da consulta médica (situação econômica), estilo de vida, inacessibilidade dos serviços de saúde, longa espera para consulta, experiência anterior e sensação de ter as informações necessárias para automedicação [2, 3,7].…”

Antifungal resistance and stewardship: a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey among pharmacy students at the University of Zambia; findings and implications

“… 38–41 However, there are concerns with their overuse and misuse, exacerbated by the switching of some antifungals from prescription medicines to over-the-counter medicines, exacerbating AFR. 38 , 42–44 Alongside this, an appreciable number of patients using antifungal treatments do so improperly, often failing to complete the full course, leading to AFR. 45 , 46 Furthermore, AFR fungi are typically resilient and transmissible human pathogens and thus potentiate the problem of AMR.…”