Self-Medication Practice with Antimalarials and Associated Factors Among Undergraduate Health Science Students in North Western - Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Self-medication is a growing public health concern in developing and developed countries. Objective: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of self-medication practice among undergraduate health science students and to determine its concomitant factors. Methods: This study was conducted in May 2021 among undergraduate health science students studying at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) in Mwanza, Tanzania. An analytical cross-sectional design was used in this study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information on the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and to assess their anti-malarial self-medication practice. Results: A total of 340 participants were recruited. The prevalence of self-medication with antimalarials was 55.9%. Among 190 students who ever used antimalarials without a prescription; the majority 143 (75.3%) obtained antimalarials from community drug outlets, and 116 (61.0%) used artemether-lumefantrine. The majority reported the emergence of acute illness (ie, no time to attend health facilities) 82 (43.2%) to be the major reason for self-medication. Students aged 25 years and above were more likely to use antimalarials without a prescription compared to students aged between 18 and 21 years, (aOR=2.99 (95% CI 1.24-0.7.22). Compared to first-year students, third-year (aOR=0.18 (95% CI 0.07-0.41), fourth-year (aOR=0.32 (95% CI 0.13-0.79), and fifth-year students (aOR=0.16 (95% CI 0.04-0.64) were significantly less likely to take antimalarials without a prescription. Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of self-medication with antimalarials among undergraduate health science students, emphasizing the need for strategies to promote the rational use of antimalarials. It is recommended to improve access to healthcare facilities and educate students about the risks associated with self-medication to reduce its prevalence.