Self-medication practice with anti-malarial drugs and its associated factors among patients with fever attending public health facilities in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia

AI Summary

Self-medication with anti-malarials prevalence was 42.8% (95% CI: 38.9% to 46.8%) among febrile patients in Dera District.
Positive determinants: higher income (≥5000 ETB), poor malaria knowledge, low risk perception, and proximity (≤5 km) to private drug sellers.
Community-based health insurance membership reduced self-medication; strategies should reduce inappropriate drug use and promote insurance enrolment.

AI Summary

Despite national guidelines promoting diagnostic-confirmed treatment, evidence addressing the prevalence of self-medication with anti-malarial drugs and drivers in Ethiopia is scarce.

Therefore, this study aimed to bridge this gap and to provide meaningful insights into ongoing efforts to curb the misuse of anti-malarial drugs and helping the strategy of malaria eliminationby investigating the prevalence of self-medication with anti-malaria drugs and its associated factors.

Factors positively associated with self-medication included: monthly income of ≥5000 ETB (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.04-2.59), poor knowledge about malaria (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.12-2.55), poor risk perception towards self-medication (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.40-3.14), and distance ≤5 km from private drug sellers (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.10-2.47).

Basic summary

PLoS One. 2026 Jul 6;21(7):e0352762. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352762. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The issue of self-medication with anti-malarial drugs is a critical public health challenge. Despite national guidelines promoting diagnostic-confirmed treatment, evidence addressing the prevalence of self-medication with anti-malarial drugs and drivers in Ethiopia is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to bridge this gap and to provide meaningful insights into ongoing efforts to curb the misuse of anti-malarial drugs and helping the strategy of malaria eliminationby investigating the prevalence of self-medication with anti-malaria drugs and its associated factors.

METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia, from June 1-30, 2025. A total of 591 febrile patients were selected using a stratified multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires developed by reviewing different related literatures. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi-Data version 4.6 and STATA 17. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with self-medication. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.

RESULT: The prevalence of self-medication with anti-malarial drugs was 42.8% (95% CI: 38.9%-46.8%). Factors positively associated with self-medication included: monthly income of ≥5000 ETB (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.04-2.59), poor knowledge about malaria (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.12-2.55), poor risk perception towards self-medication (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.40-3.14), and distance ≤5 km from private drug sellers (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.10-2.47). Community-based health insurance membership was negatively associated with self-medication (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41-0.88).

CONCLUSION: Self-medication with anti-malarial drugs was moderate (33.4%_66.6%) in the study area based on percentile classification. The findings highlighted the need for designing different strategies to reduce inappropriate drug use and promoting community-based health insurance enrollment.

PMID:42406740 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0352762

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