Prevalence and predictors of self-medication among university students in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Self-medication of medicines is a global issue particularly among those with good access and familiarity with medications such as university students. It has a significant impact on drug resistance and medication-related complications. There are limited and inconsistent studies on self-medication practices in Ethiopia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of self-medication and its predictors among university students in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prevalence and predictors of self-medication among university students in Ethiopia. Published articles from various electronic databases such as Medline, Hinari, Pub Med, Cochrane library, and the Web of Science were accessed. In addition, a manual search was performed including Google Scholar. Searching of articles were searched from January 1st to February 1, 2021. All observational studies conducted among university students in English language were included in the review. Two reviewers independently assessed articles before inclusion in the final review using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) instrument for critical appraisal. The I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity. Since the included studies exhibited high heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of self-medication. Results We found of 812 published and unpublished studies in our search. Finally, 31 full-text studies were reviewed, and 13 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. A total of 5377 study respondents from 13 studies were included in the study. The results of our study revealed that the pooled prevalence of self-medication among university students was 49.41% (95% CI 38.67%, 60.13%). The included studies had a sample size ranging from 250 to 792 with the lowest prevalence (19.87%) of self-medication from the University of Gondar, whereas the highest prevalence (77.01%) was recorded in a study conducted at Arsi University. From the pooled estimation, there was a significant association between self-medication and income (OR = 0.67: 95% CI 0.55–0.80). However, the association between self-medication and year of study and sex of participants was insignificant. Conclusion The pooled prevalence of self-medication among Ethiopian university students was relatively high compared to the current global health problem with an increase in anti-microbial resistance. Health professionals and concerned bodies should pay attention to raising awareness regarding the consequences of using medications without prescription.

Prevalence of self-medication during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The highest prevalence of self-medication was related to students. A recent meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of self-medication in students (before the COVID-19 pandemic) was 49.5% ( 68 ). The prevalence of self-medication among college students seems to have increased during this pandemic.…”

Self-medication with anxiolytics and antidepressants: main risk factors and repercussions

“…The types, extent and motives may differ from one country to another, as well as the effects on society. 3,5 Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are among the top ten leading causes of years lived with disability in the 10-49 age group worldwide. Health systems in most countries have not responded well to the situation due to the lack of equity between the need for treatment and its availability.…”

“…1,2,64 Time was another factor why young people did not go to a health professional, because in their opinion, not going to a health professional saves time. 3 The type of illness is another factor taken into account when carrying out actions regarding self-medication, since students classify their illnesses as serious and non-serious, so for nonserious illnesses they make use of their previous experience with medications, or consult with pharmacy personnel for the choice of drugs. 3 Among the student population, the academic year they are in also has an influence, as it is reported in a study conducted by Zeru 2020 in university students, that the prevalence of selfmedication in sixth year students is higher compared to first year students, due to their greater knowledge and understanding of drugs, which leads to greater confidence in self-diagnosis and its management.…”

“…3 The type of illness is another factor taken into account when carrying out actions regarding self-medication, since students classify their illnesses as serious and non-serious, so for nonserious illnesses they make use of their previous experience with medications, or consult with pharmacy personnel for the choice of drugs. 3 Among the student population, the academic year they are in also has an influence, as it is reported in a study conducted by Zeru 2020 in university students, that the prevalence of selfmedication in sixth year students is higher compared to first year students, due to their greater knowledge and understanding of drugs, which leads to greater confidence in self-diagnosis and its management. 5 Another problem that affects the practice of good mental health is the still existing social belief that mental disorders are not treatable, as well as mistreatment, rejection and isolation that exists towards people who suffer from them, leading to discrimination and violation of the human rights of such people, so that going to health professionals is still a stigmatized practice by much of society.…”

“…The practice of self-medication is understood as the consumption of medicines on one's own initiative and without a prescription from a health professional, to treat self-diagnosed problems or by an individual who is not medically qualified. [1][2][3] This practice is becoming more frequent and is considered a severe public health problem, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries, as the ease of purchase increases the problem, combined with the lack of the habit of self-care. 1,4 The use of a drug should be safe and effective, for which the consumer should identify the symptoms, therapeutic objectives, dosage and temporality of use of the drug, as well as be clear about the contraindications, comorbidities and adverse effects.…”