Self-medication issues in community pharmacies in the city of Niamey, Niger Republic

Abstract

Introduction :
the misuse of medicines is a permanent challenge in our health system. The objective of this study was to assess the problem of self-medication by users in the pharmacy environment in the city of Niamey.

Methodology :
this was a cross-sectional study which took place over the period from 05/06/2021 to 10/07/2021. It was conducted in private pharmacies in the five communes of the city of Niamey. This required interview with clients who agreed to answer the questionnaire on the pre-established survey form. The variables studied were: sociodemographic data, the characteristics of the drug, how the drug was it was used. We completed the forms with the collaboration of the pharmacy staff. The data collected were then recorded on Microsoft Office Excel 2019 for statistical analysis with Epi info sofware version 7.2.

Results :
at all, 333 clients were surveyed. Self-medication was more common among men and people with an average age of 34.91±12.08 years. Civil servants were in the majority with 38.44% (n=128). The therapeutic classes most frequently used were antiinfections with 31.53% (n=105) followed by analgesics with 23.42% (n=78). More than half of the surveyed population, 52.75% (n=102) had verbally requested medicines. (93.69% (n=312) of the respondents were unaware of the risks and consequences associated with the practice of self-medication. The users practiced self-medication to treat various symptoms, renew a previous treatment and sometimes the reasons given were unfounded. In 1.8% (n=6) had claimed to keep the box after use.

Conclusion :
Self-medication is a reality in our context. It is becoming urgent to conduct awareness campaigns on the rational use of medicines and the consequences of selfmedication among the population.