Prevalence and factors associated with self-medication for influenza-like illness among undergraduate students of Makerere University Kampala in Uganda

Abstract

Background: Self-medication for influenza-like illness is a prevalent practice among university students. Influenza-like illness is characterized by symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat, and can be caused by various viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. Self-medication for influenza-like illness can lead to serious complications like adverse drug reactions, misdiagnosis, delayed treatment and antimicrobial resistance. Objective: This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication for influenza-like illness among undergraduate students at Makerere University Kampala in Uganda so as to inform policy that can improve self-care practices for flu or influenza-like illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 24th March to 30th May 2024 among the undergraduate students currently enrolled at Makerere University Kampala in Uganda. A stratified random sampling was used to select 706 participants for the study. Data was collected using the Kobo Collect Toolbox and exported to STATA for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive statistics and multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis were used to determine the prevalence and factors associated with self-medication for influenza-like illness among undergraduate students at Makerere University Kampala in Uganda. Results: Overall, 706 respondents were interviewed indicating a response rate of 100%. The mean age (years) of respondents was 23.2 (± 3.6) and most of them 43.8% (309/706) were in the age group of 22 – 25 with age ranging from 18 – 36 years. More than half 59.2% (418/706) were female. The prevalence of self-medication for influenza-like illness was 63.0% (445/706), [95% CI: 59.3 – 66.6%]. From the multivariate analysis; students aged 26 – 29 years [APR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.92] and those aged 22 – 25 years [APR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.98], higher monthly pocket money expenditure [APR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.94], on-campus students [APR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.91], and accessed HF [APR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.98] were associated with lower risk of SMILI, whereas, medical students [APR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.52], long waiting time at the HF [APR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.30], perceived affordable cost of medication [APR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.59], having neutral or negative attitude towards drug dose completion [APR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.56] or [APR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.59], unaware of the university health policy [APR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.49], higher expenditure on drugs [APR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.36], mild or moderate symptoms [APR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.52] were associated with higher risk of SMILI. Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of self-medication for influenza-like illness (SMILI) among undergraduate students at Makerere University Kampala in Uganda. The practice of self-care for influenza-like illness was mainly among the students within the age range of 22 – 29, who had reported higher monthly pocket money expenditure, students who reside on campus, who accessed health facilities, those who were studying medical programme, who had reportedly experienced longer waiting time in health facilities, those who had perceived cost of medication as affordable, students who reportedly had a neutral or negative attitude towards drug dose completion, those who did not have information on the university health policy, students who had higher expenditure on drugs in the last 3 months, and those who perceived the severity of influenza-like illness symptoms as mild or moderate. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to promote responsible health behaviours and reduce the high prevalence of SMILI practices among university students such as; health education, improving access to healthcare, addressing waiting times at health facilities, and enhancing awareness of university health policies.