Self-medication in Ocular Conditions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

A hospital based prospective study was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, using a questionnaire to assess the extent of self-medication, types of drugs used, their source, and the outcome of the practice. It was found that out of the 323 patients interviewed, 51% of them had practised selfmedication. Fourty nine percent (49%), were males and 51% females. Twenty seven percent (27%) of those who self-medicated could not ascertain the type of medication they used. The most commonly used drugs were antibiotics (49%), followed by steroid containing preparations (12.6%), traditional medicines (4.8%), home made remedies such as salt, water and milk (2.4%), and mydriatics/cycloplegics (1.2%). Most of the drugs were obtained from community pharmacies (30.1%). Although no patient suffered sight loss due to self-medication, the practise was judged to be of benefit to only 17% of the patients. The trial of self-medication was judged to be of no significant effect to the presenting condition for about 47% of the patients, while 36% were judged to have put their sight at risk. 78% of those who self-medicated were judged to have used inappropriate drugs.