Self-medication practices in Khartoum State, Sudan

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Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with proprietary medicines and herbs in Khartoum State, Sudan, and to evaluate factors associated with self-medication. Methods A pre-piloted questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 1,200 individuals, selected from all three cities of Khartoum State using a multistage stratified clustered sampling. Results The response rate was 83.3%. Medicines, including herbs, were used by 81.8% of the respondents without a medical consultation within 2 months prior to the study period. Proprietary medicines alone were used by 28.3% (CI: 25.6–31.2), herbs alone by 20.7% (CI: 18.3–23.4), while 32.8% (CI: 29.9–35.8) had used both. Self-medication with proprietary medicines was least common with the middle-aged (OR: 0.12; 0.09–0.17), the elderly (OR: 0.29; 0.20–0.42) and low level of education [illiterate (OR: 0.26, 0.18–0.37) and primary/intermediate school (OR: 0.07, 0.04–0.11)]. It was most associated with low (OR: 5.3; 3.8–7.4) and middle income (OR: 4.3; 3.1–5.9), but no gender difference was found (P>0.05). Self-medication behaviour with herbs was most associated with middle-age (OR: 1.7; 1.3–2.2), female gender (OR: 2.2 (1.7–2.8) and lowest income earners (OR: 2.5; 1.9–3.5). Conclusions The prevalence of self-medication with medicines including herbs in urban areas of Khartoum State is high. Self-medication behaviour varies significantly with a number of socio-economic characteristics. Our findings have major public health policy implications for countries like Sudan.

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