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Godman, B., Egwuenu, A., Haque, M., Malande, O. O., Schellack, N., Kumar, S., Saleem, Z., Sneddon, J., Hoxha, I., Islam, S., Mwita, J., Do Nascimento, R. C. R. M., Godói, I. P. D., Niba, L. L., Amu, A. A., Acolatse, J., Incoom, R., Sefah, I. A., Opanga, S. et al. (2021). Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization with a Special Focus on Developing Countries. Life, 11, Article 528.
https://doi.org/10.3390/life11060528

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Prevalence of Self-Medication and Associated Factors among Healthcare Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Zambia

  AUTHORS: Steward Mudenda, Victor Daka, Scott Kaba Matafwali, Manal Hadi Ghaffoori Kanaan, Sura Saad Abdullah, Shafiq Mohamed, Webrod Mufwambi, Maisa Kasanga, Benjamin Mulenga, Billy Chabalenge, Ruth Lindizyani Mfune

  KEYWORDS: Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance, Painkillers, Self-Medication, COVID-19, Healthcare Students

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Social Sciences, Vol.11 No.10, October 25, 2023

  ABSTRACT: Background: The global effects of COVID-19 on individuals worsened the problem of self-medication (SM), a driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is little information documented on the prevalence of SM among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of SM and associated factors among healthcare students at the University of Zambia. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 healthcare students using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Statistical significance was conducted at a 95% confidence level. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors that were associated with self-medication. Results: Of the 323 participants, 51.4% were female and 67.8% were from the program of pharmacy. The prevalence of SM was 95% with paracetamol (36.5%), azithromycin (19.3%), and chlorpheniramine (13.6%) being the most used medicines. The most common conditions that students experienced included headaches (22.6%), sneezing (13.6%), fever (8.7%), and coughing/sneezing (5.6%). SM practices were due to fear of contracting COVID-19 from healthcare facilities (21.4%), time-consuming at healthcare facilities (19.2%), and knowledge of medicines acquired in school (18.9%). Older students, aged between 34 and 50 years were less likely to practice SM compared to those who were younger (OR = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.015 - 0.304). Furthermore, students who were aware of SM were more likely to practice SM than those who were not aware (OR = 32.866, 95% CI: 7.751 - 139.525). Conclusion: This study found high awareness and prevalence of SM among healthcare students with painkillers, antibiotics, and anti-allergies overused to treat symptoms. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics may lead to antimicrobial resistance, thus the need to promote antimicrobial stewardship even in universities. There is a need to promote the rational use of medicines during COVID-19 and other future public health emergencies.