Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication with Antifungal Drugs and Herbal Products Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt

Figures & data

Table 1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Participants, University Students in Egypt

Socio-Demographic Characteristics	Category	Number (n=403)	Percent
Sex	Male	223	55.3
	Female	180	44.7
Residence	Inside Cairo	264	65.5
	Outside Cairo	139	34.5
University	Private	160	39.7
	Public	243	60.3
Education	Medical	311	77.2
	Non Medical	92	22.8

Figure 1 Percent distribution of reported reasons of self-medication with antifungal drugs.

Table 2 Attitudes Towards Self-Medication with Antifungal Drugs Among Self-Medicated University Students

Attitudes Towards SM	Number (154)	Percent (100%)
I think that SM with antifungal drugs is not a safe practice	112	72.7
I will stop SM with antifungal drugs immediately if I knew it has dangerous side effects	127	82.5
I do not encourage my family or friends to self-medicate with antifungal drugs	105	68.2
I am willing to increase my knowledge about SM with antifungal drugs	149	96.8

Table 3 Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis of Self-Medication Practice with Antifungal Drugs Among the Respondents

Tested Variables	Category	Self-Medication Practice with Antifungal Drugs		COR (95% CI)ᵃ	AOR (95% CI)ᵇ
		Yes	No
		N (%)	N (%)
Sex	Male	98 (43.9)	125 (56.1)	1.7 (1.2, 2.6)*	0.9 (0.6, 1.5)
	Female	56 (31.1)	124 (68.9)
Age (years), mean ± SD		22 ± 1.7	20.6 ± 1.4	N/A**	1.5 (1.3, 1.8)*
Residence	Inside Cairo	85 (32.2)	179 (67.8)	0.5 (0.3, 0.7)*	0.8 (0.5, 1.3)
	Outside Cairo	69 (49.6)	70 (50.4)
University	Private	101 (63.1)	59 (36.9)	6.1 (3.9, 9.6)*	3.7 (2.2, 6.4)*
	Public	53 (21.8)	190 (78.2)
Education	Medical	125 (40.2)	186 (59.8)	1.5 (0.9, 2.4)	2.4 (1.3, 4.5)*
	Non Medical	29 (31.5)	63 (68.5)
Read antifungal drug pamphlet before use	Yes	133 (38.9)	209 (61.1)	1.2 (0.7, 2.1)	2.2 (0.9, 5.4)
	No	21 (34.4)	40 (65.6)
Seek information about antifungal drug through internet or other sources before use	Yes	126 (39.1)	196 (60.9)	1.2 (0.7, 2)	0.7 (0.3, 1.4)
	No	28 (34.6)	53 (65.4)
Interested in following social media drug advertisements	Yes	122 (42.7)	164 (57.3)	0.5 (0.3, 0.8)*	0.6 (0.3, 1)
	No	32 (27.4)	85 (72.6)

Notes: ᵃUnivariate logistic analysis based on the results of chi square test. ᵇMultivariate logistic regression analysis based on the results of binary logistic regression test. *Significant variables at P value < 0.05.

Abbreviations: COR, crude odds ratio; AOR, adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI, confidence interval; **N/A, not applicable.

Table 4 Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis of Self-Medication with Herbal Products

Tested Variables	Category	Utilization of Herbal Products for Treatment of Fungal Infections		COR (95% CI)ᵃ	AOR (95% CI)ᵇ
		Yes	No
		N (%)	N (%)
Sex	Male	162 (72.6)	61 (27.4)	1.2 (0.8, 1.9)	1.3 (0.8, 2.1)
	Female	123 (68.3)	57 (31.7)
Age (years), mean ± SD		21.1 ± 1.7	21.2 ± 1.7	N/A**	1 (0.9, 1.2)
Residence	Inside Cairo	202 (76.5)	62 (23.5)	2.2 (1.4, 3.4)*	2.4 (1.5, 3.8)*
	Outside Cairo	83 (59.7)	56 (40.3)
University	Private	113 (70.6)	47 (29.4)	1 (0.6, 1.5)	1.2 (0.7, 2.2)
	Public	172 (70.8)	71 (29.2)
Education	Medical	231 (74.3)	80 (25.7)	2 (1.2, 3.3)*	2.1 (1.3, 3.4)*
	Non Medical	54 (58.7)	38 (41.3)

Notes: ᵃUnivariate logistic analysis based on the results of chi square test. ᵇMultivariate logistic regression analysis based on the results of binary logistic regression test. *Significant variables at P value < 0.05.

Abbreviations: COR, crude odds ratio; AOR, adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI, confidence interval; **N/A, not applicable.

Figure 2 Percent distribution of main sources of knowledge regarding herbal products.