Extent and outcome of self-medication by patients reporting to a private skin clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A total of 350 patients (203 females and147 males) attending Meise private skin clinic in Dar es Salaam were interviewed to elicit information on various aspects of self-medication including skin conditions for which self medication is commonly used, type and source of medication, the appropriateness for the medication and the outcome of self-medication. Thirty percent of the patients could not ascertain the type of medication they used. The drugs commonly used for self-medication were anti-fungals (42%), antibiotics (25%), steroid containing drugs (10%), analgesics (44%), antihistamines 6(%) and others (13 %). Most of the drugs were obtained from community pharmacies (40%), other sources were relatives and friends (18%), other health facilities (17%), those stored at home as left-overs from unfinished doses (15%) and from traditional healers (10 %). More than 82% of those who practiced self-medication were judged to have used improper drugs for the presenting skin condition. In about half of the patients (54%) who practiced self-medication the skin condition became worse. Fourteen percent of the patients benefited, while 32% of the drugs used did not have significant effect on the presenting condition of the patients. These findings suggest that self-medication for the treatment of skin conditions is a common practice among patients in Dar es Salaam. A significant proportion of these patients does not benefit from such practice and yet they can easily get a variety of tropical medicinal preparations without a professionally authorised prescription. It is therefore recommended to disseminate health education messages to patients and health care providers, including pharmacists, to address the need for a thorough dermatological assessment of patients by qualified professionals before embarking on treatment of skin diseases.
Temu-Justin
M
M
, Faculty of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam.
Antony
P G
PG
Nyaindi
M
M
Masssawe
A E
AE