Evaluation of self-medication practices and their characteristics among Uvira in Democratic Republic of Congo students

Introduction: self-medication poses a threat to public health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-medication practices among Uvira students in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on an indirect interview of 700 students, using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Data were processed using XLSTAT. Results: according to the survey conducted on these 700 students, the prevalence of self medication was 99.3% (n=695), of which 42.3% (n=294) started during adolescence. Of the total respondents, 57,4% (n=399) said they resorted to self-medication every time they fell ill and were short of money (n=471, 67.7%) for a consultation. The most commonly cited pathology encountered during this practice was malaria (n=212, 30.5%). Of all drugs used, paracetamol was in the first place (n=106, 15.3%) while the tablet was the form most used by these students (n=598, 86%). In terms of the drug combination, Fansidar-Coartem (n=106, 17.2%) was the most common; the dosage was age-dependent in 65.6% (n=456) of cases. This study also showed that 37.4% (n=695) of the students interviewed used phytotherapy, mainly to treat malaria (n=124, 47.3%). Conclusion: among Uvira students, self-medication is extremely used, especially against malaria. Efforts must be made by healthcare personnel in collaboration with policymakers to raise awareness about the rational use of medications, in order to better control and potentially eradicate this practice that is harmful to health.