Self-Medication and its Characteristics in the Population of Rombe I and II Districts in the City of Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: Irrational use of these drugs leads to increased microbial resistance, wastage of resources, masked diagnosis and use of excessive doses of drugs and can generally lead to drug addiction. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of self-medication, its characteristics and analyze the factors associated with it among the general population of the city of Uvira. Methodology: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted among 371 people from the Rombe I and II districts of the commune of Mulongwe in the city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study was carried out from January to August 2023. Data collection was done using a survey questionnaire recorded under Kobocollect and administered to respondents in the form of a direct interview using a Smartphone (Samsung S10). Result: The prevalence of self-medication is 96% and no independent variable analyzed in this study is associated with the practice of self-medication. The source of information on the practice of self-medication was the seller of medicines in pharmacy pharmacies (31.5%). Respondents listed social vulnerability/poverty (84.0%) followed by the high cost of healthcare in healthcare facilities (16%) as reasons for self-medication. Analgesic-antipyretic-anti-inflammatory drugs were the most commonly consumed class of drugs in self-medication at 30.1% followed by antimalarials at 24.2% of cases and this on the advice of product sellers/pharmacists. Traditional medicine also recorded a frequency of self-medication (44.9%). Conclusion: It is important that health authorities work to ensure access to quality healthcare for all. The approach of mutual health insurance companies but also the promotion of universal health coverage would be possible. Regulations regarding the sale of medicines should be respected by stakeholders and rigorous monitoring should follow.