[Survey of patients admitted to the Regional Hospital Center (RHC) of Maradi following self-medication].

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact and complications related to self-medication among patients admitted to the Maradi RHC.

Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study at the Maradi RHC, in the referral department from June 30 to September 30, 2021, by means of an interview.

Results: A total of 254 patients were interviewed. The frequency of self-medication at the Maradi CHR was 3.63%. The majority of the patients surveyed were women (53.94%). The average age was 42 years. Among them, 63.39% were attending Koranic school and 38.19% were housewives. Street vendors and traditional practitioners were the main suppliers of self-medication drugs, respectively 45.28% and 30.31%. The most commonly used products were traditional medicines, analgesics, antibiotics and anti-malarial (47.63%, 26.37%, 22.44% and 16.92% respectively). The lack of financial means and accessibility of treatment were the main reasons for this practice. Digestive diseases were the most frequent pathology group. Jaundice was the first complication related to self-medication, followed by urticaria and Lyell's syndrome. Following management, 8% (n=20) patients were discharged cured and 6% (n=15) had died.

Conclusion: Self-medication is a rapidly growing practice, favored by many factors despite the many risks that can arise from it. In order to prevent these risks, an awareness program is necessary to make the population adhere to a change of behavior.