Open AccessAppraisal of the practice of ocular self-medication in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana
Author(s) -
Samuel Kyei,
Stephen Ocansey,
Emmanuel Kwasi Abu,
Bismark Nyarko Gyedu
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
optometry reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2039-473X
pISSN - 2039-4721
DOI - 10.4081/optometry.2014.2164
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacy , family medicine , demographics , logistic regression , test (biology) , self medication , descriptive statistics , cape , population , optometry , demography , environmental health , geography , paleontology , statistics , mathematics , archaeology , sociology , biology
The purpose of the present study was to assess the practice of ocular self-medication among people of the Cape Coast Metropolis, Central Region of Ghana. A population-based survey involving 421 respondents ≥18 years old was conducted. A pre-tested interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, ocular symptoms for which selfmedication was practiced, medical knowledge and self-care orientation. Households were systematically and randomly selected as study units. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Descriptive results were expressed as frequency, percentage, and mean±standard deviation, X2 test was used for associations, and logistic regression was used to test for predictors of the practice of ocular self-medication. Prevalence of ocular self-medication was 23.3% with itchy eye being the main ocular symptom for which self-medication was practiced. Local pharmacies were the main source of drug for ocular self-medication. There was no association between medical knowledge and the practice of ocular self-medication (X2=0.126; P=0.722). Some 25.5% experienced adverse effects. In conclusion, the practice of ocular self-medication was without recourse to adequate concept of the practice of self-care but its negative effect was mitigated by the low self-care orientation of the people.