Publications

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, trends, and causes of self-medication amongstudents at Kampala International University's western campus in Bushenyi, Uganda. Thedata was collected through semi-structured interviewer-led questionnaires and analyzedusing SPSS version 20. The results showed that self-medication was prevalent at 63.5%, withminor illnesses, time savings, outdated prescriptions, and high consultation costs as thetop reasons. Other reasons included risk of using the wrong drugs, lack of knowledge, fearof side effects, using the wrong drugs, and misdiagnosis. The majority of respondents usedfriends and family, private clinics, and private clinics to obtain drugs. Painkillers,antibiotics, and headache medications were most frequently used. Factors such as allergies,being a woman, and senior year college increased the likelihood of self-medication. Therewas no significant difference between medical and non-medical students in selfmedication.However, lack of access to medical care increased the likelihood of selfmedication.The study suggests expanding essential medical services to provide studentswith information on medications, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatments.