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Self-medication practice in Akuse, a rural setting in Ghana
Barbara Nyantakyiwah Mensah1, Irene Bonewa Agyemang2, Daniel Kwame Afriyie3
1Ghana Health Service, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Self-medication is common in rural Akuse, Ghana, with antibiotics and analgesics frequently used. Most residents lacked knowledge of adverse drug reactions, highlighting a need for public health education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Rural Health
Background:
- Self-medication is prevalent in resource-poor settings due to limited access to healthcare.
- Data on self-medication practices and influencing factors in rural Ghana is scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of self-medication in Akuse, a rural community in Ghana.
- To identify factors influencing self-medication practices and the types of drugs commonly used.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Akuse.
- Data was collected via questionnaires and interviews from 361 participants.
Main Results:
- Antibiotics (32.1%) and analgesics (21.0%) were the most commonly self-medicated drugs.
- Influence from family/friends (32.7%) and obtaining drugs from chemical sellers (32.5%) were significant factors.
- A majority (81.7%) lacked knowledge of adverse drug reactions.
Conclusions:
- Self-medication is a widespread practice in Akuse.
- Findings underscore the need for targeted health education on the risks of self-medication in similar settings.
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