Household Level Drug Utilization and Associated Factors in South Gondar Zone, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction

Inappropriate drug utilization may reduce the best possible benefits of drug therapy, and patients may not be cured, they may be exposed to toxicity, and medications may be wasted. The aim of this study is to assess household-level drug utilization practices and their associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted from January 15 to March 15, 2020. In total, 847 households selected by stratified multistage sampling were visited. Bivariate and multivariable analyses for association were carried out using a binary logistic regression model. The statistical significance of an association was confirmed at p<0.05.

Results

Of the total 847 households, 378 (44.6%) were found to store drugs at home at the time of datacollection. In the 371 households that allowed observation of the drugs stored, a mean of 2.51 (SD=1.68) drugs per household was found; 40.2% of stored medicines were not in use at the time of the study. The prevalences of medication hoarding, sharing, and allopathic self-medication were 20.4%, 26.3%, and 43.8%, respectively. Higher monthly income and the presence of a child aged under 5 years were significantly associated with drug hoarding. The presence of an elderly person aged above 65 years and the presence of a family member with chronic illness were significantly associated with drug hoarding and sharing. Families with higher educational status were less likely to hoard and share medicines. The presence of stored drugs at home was significantly associated with the practice of self-medication.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of inappropriate drug utilization was observed. Factors such as the presence of a family member with chronic illness, elderly people, and children under 5, higher income, and the presence of stored drugs were significantly associated with inappropriate drug utilization. Families of higher educational status were less likely to hoard and share medicines.

Keywords:

• drug storage
• medication hoarding
• drug sharing
• self-medication
• Ethiopia

Abbreviations

AOR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; CNS, central nervous system; CSA, Central Statistical Agency; IRERC, Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; OR, odds ratio; SD, standard deviation; WHO, World Health Organization.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethical approval for this study was received from the Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee (IRERC) of the College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University (reference number DTU/re/54/99/2020). A letter of support was written from Debre Tabor University and further endorsement was carried out by the zonal health desk and administration department. The permission letter was submitted to officials at all levels down to the kebeles involved in the study. The interviewers explained the objective, advantage, and risks of the study, and respondents were briefed about their voluntary participation as well as the confidentiality of their response, to obtain informed consent from the participants before the data collection began.

Consent to Publish

All the authors have shown their agreement to publish this manuscript in this journal.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.