PROPORTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF OPHTHALMIC SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE AMONG ADULT OPHTHALMIC PATIENTS ATTENDING BORUMEDA HOSPITAL, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Self-medication defined as selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. Worldwide, the prevalence of ophthalmic self-medication ranges from 23.3% to 73.6 %. When ophthalmic patients use ophthalmic medicine without the consultation of the eye care profession, issues of safety and inappropriateness of use arise. Irrational use of ophthalmic medicines can aggravate the disease and make the prescribed treatment outcome poor. Therefore, it is essential to know the proportion and associated factors of ocular self-medication practice to respond appropriately. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of ophthalmic self-medication practice and associated factors among adult ophthalmic patients attending Borumeda hospital, Northeast Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted at Borumeda hospital from April 29 to May 24, 2019. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected with a face-to-face interview by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info 7 and analyzed by SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were employed. P-values of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 402 participants with a response rate of 98.7% were involved. Of those, 60.9% were male. The median ages of participants were 42 years with interquartile range of 32 years. The proportion of ophthalmic self-medication was 28.6% [95% CI; 24.6-33.3]. Age group 29-42 years [AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.06-4.52], absence of health insurance [AOR: 4.29; 2.357.84],

more than 10 kilometer traveling distance to get eye services [AOR: 3.11; 1.58-6.12], previous experience of ocular illness [AOR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.53-4.48], family or friend experience of ocular illness [AOR: 2.65, 95%CI: 1.43-4.92], availability of ophthalmic medicine bottle/ tube at home [AOR: 4.59, 95% CI: 2.36-8.92] and poor knowledge about hazards of selfmedication

[AOR: 6.22; 3.26-11.85] were significantly associated with ophthalmic selfmedication.

Conclusion and recommendations: The proportion of ophthalmic self-medication was 28.6%. Absence of health insurance, positive history of previous ocular illness, positive family or friends experience of ocular illness, availability of eye medication bottle /tube at home, far-traveling distance to get eye care services, poor knowledge about hazards of self-medication were significantly associated factors with ophthalmic self-medication practice. Scale up health insurance coverage, dispose of leftover eye medication bottle/tube from the house, improve knowledge of patients, nearby accessible eye care services is necessary. Keywords: ophthalmic patient, self-medication, practice, Dessie, Ethiopia