Determinants of Self-Medication Among the Population of the Isangi Health Zone During Morbid Episodes

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 50% of medications worldwide are prescribed, dispensed, or sold inappropriately. Simultaneously, 50% of patients fail to adhere to their prescribed treatments. In the Isangi region, when faced with morbid episodes (such as fever, headaches, or digestive disorders), the population primarily resorts to self-medication through the purchase of modern or traditional remedies without medical consultation. This study aims to identify the factors determining the use of self-medication among the population of the Isangi Health Zone during morbid episodes. Methodology : A household survey was conducted from August 10 to November 30, 2023, involving patients or their guardians. Data collection was performed using interview guides and observation checklists. Following collection, the data were encoded in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA 13 software. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were employed, with a significance level set at $p < 0.05$. Conclusion : Self-medication is a predominant health practice, affecting more than six out of ten individuals. It is driven by a precarious sanitary environment and an average standard of living. The primary drivers of this practice include the perception of the illness as non-serious, the influence of social networks (family and peers), and the success of previous treatments. Although therapeutic failure eventually reorients patients toward official healthcare circuits, the risks of medical complications and drug resistance remain significant.