Prevalence and factors associated with self-medication among physicians in selected Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional study

Background : Self-medication is the selection and use of medications to manage self-diagnosed illnesses or symptoms. It often doesn’t properly cure illnesses rather has added risks including iatrogenic diseases, masking of developing diseases, poisonings, adverse reactions, and development of resistance. Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive data on self-medication among physicians in Ethiopia. Aim : To assess the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication, among physicians in selected hospitals of Addis Ababa. Study setting and Methods : An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted, in four governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa. A total of 447 physcian has participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to describe study variables. Additionally, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with self-medication. A P- value< 0.05 was set to declare statistical significance. Results : The prevalence of self-medication among physicians was 262 [58.3% ( 95%, CI 53.9-63.2)] in a 3-month recall period. The most common reasons were saving time 60.3%, taking self-medication as a norm 51%, high cost of paraclinical services 70.5% and poor quality of service at health facility 73.6%. The odds of practicing self-medication were nearly two times higher among physicians on specialty training program (resident physcians) than those who are full time employees in the hospitals,(AOR 1.70, 95% CI:1.10- 2.60). Conclusion : The study revealed a high prevalence of self-medication practice and physicians on specialty training program were more prone to self-medicate. This association suggests the importance of addressing the problem within teaching hospitals