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Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hertz, JT; Madut, DB; Tesha, RA; William, G; Simmons, RA; Galson, SW; Maro, VP; Crump, JA; Rubach, MP
Published in: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
April 1, 2019

BACKGROUND: Self-treatment with antimicrobials is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about the prevalence of this practice where malaria transmission intensity is low, and little is known about the prevalence of self-treatment with other medications such as antihypertensives and antihyperglycemics. METHODS: A two-stage randomized population-based cluster survey with selection proportional to population size was performed in northern Tanzania. Self-identified healthcare decision-makers from randomly selected households were asked to report instances of self-medication without a prescription in the preceding year. Associations between self-treatment and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed with Pearson's chi-squared and the Student's t-test. RESULTS: A total of 718 participants completed the survey, and 344 (47.9%) reported any household member obtaining medication without a prescription. Of these, 85 (11.8%) obtained an antimicrobial and four (0.6%) obtained an antihypertensive or antihyperglycemic. Of respondents reporting self-treatment, 306 (89.0%) selected the medication themselves. Self-treatment with antimicrobials was associated with post-primary education (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.22-3.16, p=0.005), younger age (43.1 vs 48.7 years, p=0.007) and higher socioeconomic status score (0.42 vs 0.34, p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Self-treatment with antimicrobials in an area of low malaria transmission intensity was uncommon and self-treatment with antihypertensives and antihyperglycemics was rare.

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Published In

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg

DOI

EISSN

1878-3503

Publication Date

April 1, 2019

Volume

113

Issue

4

Start / End Page

183 / 188

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Self Medication
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Malaria
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

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Hertz, J. T., Madut, D. B., Tesha, R. A., William, G., Simmons, R. A., Galson, S. W., … Rubach, M. P. (2019). Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 113(4), 183–188. https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/try138
Hertz, Julian T., Deng B. Madut, Revogatus A. Tesha, Gwamaka William, Ryan A. Simmons, Sophie W. Galson, Venance P. Maro, John A. Crump, and Matthew P. Rubach. “Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey.Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 113, no. 4 (April 1, 2019): 183–88. https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/try138.
Hertz JT, Madut DB, Tesha RA, William G, Simmons RA, Galson SW, et al. Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Apr 1;113(4):183–8.
Hertz, Julian T., et al. “Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey.Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, vol. 113, no. 4, Apr. 2019, pp. 183–88. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/trstmh/try138.
Hertz JT, Madut DB, Tesha RA, William G, Simmons RA, Galson SW, Maro VP, Crump JA, Rubach MP. Self-medication with non-prescribed pharmaceutical agents in an area of low malaria transmission in northern Tanzania: a community-based survey. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2019 Apr 1;113(4):183–188.
Journal cover image

Published In

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg

DOI

EISSN

1878-3503

Publication Date

April 1, 2019

Volume

113

Issue

4

Start / End Page

183 / 188

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Self Medication
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Malaria
  • Humans
  • Female