Availability and Usage of Drugs at Household Level in Tanzania: Case Study in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam

M Temu-Justin; P G Risha; Y G Mlavwasi; C Makwaya; M T Leshabari

M Temu-Justin Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
P G Risha Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Y G Mlavwasi Departmenotf Hospital Pharmacy, Muhimbili National Hospital, P. 0. Box 65000, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
C Makwaya Department of Biostatistics School of Public Health, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65002, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
M T Leshabari Department of Behavioral Sciences, School ofpublic Health, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65002, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Keywords: Household, storage condition, drug use status, self-medication

Abstract

A survey was conducted in 400 households in Kinondoni District, Tanzania, to
determine the availability, source, storage condition, and usage of medicinal
drugs. Majority of the households (73.3 %)stored drugs at home. Seven hundred
and sixty one (761) different types of drug preparations were encountered. Only
64.7 % of these drugs were in use at the time of study. About 45 % of the
antibacterials found in the households were being kept for future use in selfmedication.
Large proportions of these drugs were obtained from authorised
private health facilities. Only a minority (10 %) were obtained from
unauthorised sources. Sixty seven percent of all the drugs kept at the households
were not stored properly. Majority of the respondents (83 %) admitted practising
self-medication. Sharing of drugs within and across households was also
practised.