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Olamijuwon E, Keenan K, Mushi MF, Kansiime C, Konje ET, Kesby M, Neema S, Asiimwe B, Mshana SE, Fredricks KJ, Sunday B, Bazira J, Sandeman A, Sloan DJ, Mwanga JR, Sabiiti W, Holden MTG. Treatment seeking and antibiotic use for urinary tract infection symptoms in the time of COVID-19 in Tanzania and Uganda. J Glob Health 2024; 14:05007. [PMID: 38236690 PMCID: PMC10795859 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.05007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is still little empirical evidence on how the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated regulations may have disrupted care-seeking for non-COVID-19 conditions or affected antibiotic behaviours in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to investigate the differences in treatment-seeking behaviours and antibiotic use for urinary tract infection (UTI)-like symptoms before and during the pandemic at recruitment sites in two East African countries with different COVID-19 control policies: Mbarara, Uganda and Mwanza, Tanzania. Methods In this repeated cross-sectional study, we used data from outpatients (pregnant adolescents aged >14 and adults aged >18) with UTI-like symptoms who visited health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania and Mbarara, Uganda. We assessed the prevalence of self-reported behaviours (delays in care-seeking, providers visited, antibiotics taken) at three different time points, labelled as 'pre-COVID-19 phase' (February 2019 to February 2020), 'COVID-19 phase 1' (March 2020 to April 2020), and 'COVID-19 phase 2' (July 2021 to February 2022). Results In both study sites, delays in care-seeking were less common during the pandemic than they were in the pre-COVID phase. Patients in Mwanza, Tanzania had shorter care-seeking pathways during the pandemic compared to before it, but this difference was not observed in Mbarara, Uganda. Health centres were the dominant sources of antibiotics in both settings. Over time, reported antibiotic use for UTI-like symptoms became more common in both settings. During the COVID-19 phases, there was a significant increase in self-reported use of antibiotics like metronidazole (<30% in the pre-COVID-19 phase to 40% in COVID phase 2) and doxycycline (30% in the pre-COVID-19 phase to 55% in COVID phase 2) that were not recommended for treating UTI-like symptoms in the National Treatment Guidelines in Mbarara, Uganda. Conclusions There was no clear evidence that patients with UTI-like symptoms attending health care facilities had longer or more complex treatment pathways despite strict government-led interventions related to COVID-19. However, antibiotic use increased over time, including some antibiotics not recommended for treating UTI, which has implications for future antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Olamijuwon
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Katherine Keenan
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Martha F Mushi
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Catherine Kansiime
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eveline T Konje
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Mike Kesby
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Stella Neema
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Benon Asiimwe
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stephen E Mshana
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Kathryn J Fredricks
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Benjamin Sunday
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Joel Bazira
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Alison Sandeman
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Derek J Sloan
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Joseph R Mwanga
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Wilber Sabiiti
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - CARE Consortium
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Microbiology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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Khoshbakht R, Semsari Bonab M, Hajizadegan H, Tavakolizadeh Nooghabi E, Ghorbani A, Asgari M, Neshani A, Ghavidel M, Sadeghian H. Comparing self-medication and medical supervised treatment before hospitalization among patients with Covid-19: A retrospective case-control study. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16 Suppl 1:119-124. [PMID: 37925306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a notable increase in self-medication with antibiotics or other medications due to impaired access to healthcare services. This kind of self-treatment, without comprehending the condition and its related risks, can result in misdiagnosis, overdosing and delaying in acquiring professional medical attention, or may even cause antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, reports have suggested that medical practitioners have prescribed medications inappropriately to patients with Covid-19. To investigate this further, this study compared the medications used by patients with Covid-19 prior to hospitalization with or without a medical recommendation. METHODS Data was extracted a mass survey of patients with of Covid-19 in Mashhad, and the patients were divided into two main groups: those who received medication with guidance from a medical professional (treatment group) and those who self-administered medications without professional oversight (self-treatment group). Statistical analysis was then conducted using SPSS version 26, the Chi-square, and multiple logistic regression test. RESULTS This study examined 3266 patients, with 1466 included in the analysis. Results showed that men (9.5 %), those living in rural areas (21 %), and those with no academic degree (37.5%) had a higher likelihood to self-medicating. Antibiotics were the most frequently used medications prior to hospitalization (9.5%). Comparing the two groups revealed that three drug categories- antibiotics, antivirals and other medications (medicines that are not in the other 4 main categories)- were utilized more often in the treatment group than in the self-treatment group, with a p-value of < 0.05. The only medical condition that had a significant difference between the two groups was diabetes, with 34.1 % in the self-treatment group versus 24.5 % in the treatment group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a surge in the inappropriate use of certain medications through self-medicating. This poses a serious risk to the health of patients, highlighting the need for not only adjusting guidelines but also raising awareness and enforcing compliance to prevent unnecessary use of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Khoshbakht
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | | | - Homa Hajizadegan
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Atousa Ghorbani
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Asgari
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Neshani
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahdis Ghavidel
- Shahid Hasheminejad Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Sadeghian
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Zheng Y, Liu J, Tang PK, Hu H, Ung COL. A systematic review of self-medication practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for pharmacy practice in supporting public health measures. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1184882. [PMID: 37397709 PMCID: PMC10310324 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1184882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication had become highly popular due to the risk of virus infection and overwhelming medical resources. Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide public health education and disease prevention. This study aims to provide an overview of the research about self-medication during COVID-19 and the role of pharmacists in ensuring the drug safety related to self-medication. Methods Databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO host, and Web of Science) were searched for published studies on the practice of self-medication in COVID-19 pandemic without restriction in population and location. Primary search terms were "self-medication," "self-care," "self-management," "non-prescription drugs," "2019nCoV," and "COVID-19." Studies conducted during the pandemic but not exclusively for COVID-19 disease were eligible for inclusion. Results The database search yielded a total of 4,752 papers. After appropriate screening, 62 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were cross-sectional in nature. The review highlighted a very high prevalence of self-medication during COVID-19, ranging from 7.14 to 88.3%. The purpose of self-medication was mainly to treat and prevent COVID-19; fever, body aches, cough, headache, and sore throat were the most frequently mentioned indications. Categories of drugs commonly used in self-medication included antibiotics, herbs, vitamins, and analgesics, most of which came from pharmacies. Information about self-medication usually obtained from relatives and friends, social networks and health care professionals. Common reasons for self-medication included saving money and time, prior experience and mild illness; reasons associated with COVID-19 were mainly fear of contracting the virus and poor access to doctors. Gender, age, education, marital status, and concern about COVID-19 were the most usual associated factors. The role of pharmacists in self-medication included sources of information, advice on medication use, and management of adverse reactions. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, self-medication practices were widespread and varied across countries and populations. Self-medication has emerged as an important component of health care, but also as a huge global challenge. The engagement of healthcare administrators and policy makers are essential to regulate self-medication practices. The expertise and favorable conditions of pharmacists make them positioned as key roles in public health interventions for self-medication. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=395423, identifier CRD42023395423.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Pou Kuan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Hao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
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