Publications

This study investigated factors influencing self-medication among medical students at Kampala InternationalUniversity-Western Campus, focusing on factors such as quality of health services, commonly used medicines, andeducation level. The cross-sectional study design allowed for a combination of quantitative and qualitativeapproaches to interpret data. The study population consisted of medical students aged 18-30, enrolled in anymedical course at KIU-WC, and of any gender. The sample size was determined using Fisher's formula, with aminimum of 220 students. Data collection involved random sampling, and the study utilized questionnaires withboth structured and unstructured questions. The study found that 80.0% of participants self-medicate. Painkillers(52%), anti-malarials (31%), and antibiotics (12%) are the most commonly used drugs for self-medication. Mostpeople (85.5%) get their drugs from drug shops, as they do not require prescriptions from doctors. The majority(80.0%) prefer easy access to drugs and cheap sources, which may be a factor in self-medication practices. Thestudy also found that 97.3% of participants were within a 5-kilometer radius of KIUTH, and 79.1% self-medicate.The majority (10%) had to reach KIUTH by vehicle due to the numerous and easily accessible sources of selfmedicateddrugs. However, 18.2% of participants concluded that the quality of services offered within KIUTHfacilities was poor, which could account for the decision to self-medicate rather than seek help from healthprofessionals. Higher education level was found to be more likely to self-medicate, as students in higher classeswere more likely to self-medicate. This could be due to increased knowledge and experience about medicines anddrugs, or greater financial stability, enabling them to travel and seek care at private and government healthfacilities.