Self-medication with ophthalmic drugs and its associated factors among ophthalmic patients attending three hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study.

To assess the prevalence and practice of self-medication and its associated factors among ophthalmic patients. An analytical cross-sectional study design was employed. Three hospitals inAsmara, Eritrea. Samples of ophthalmic outpatients aged >18 years who visited the three hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data were collected from September 2021 to October 2021 in a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were double entered and analysed using CSPro (V.7.2) and SPSS (V.26), respectively. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed. P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Main outcome variable was practice of self-medication with ophthalmic drugs (SMOD). Secondary outcome measure was the determinants of self-medication practice. A total of 351 participants were recruited with a response rate of 97.7%. The prevalence of SMOD was found to be 14.9% (95% CI (11.1% to 18.7%)). The most frequently preferred ophthalmic drug groups were antibiotics (63.6%), followed by corticosteroids (22.7%). The main reasons for SMOD were easy accessibility (52.9%) and previous familiarity of the eye medication (27.5%). Eye redness (n=19/51) and foreign body sensation (n=18/51) were the most self-recognised complaints that required self-medication. The most common source of information for SMOD was pharmacy professionals (41.1%). Only attitude score (Crude odds ratio (COR)= 1.25, 95% CI 1.12, 1.39) was significantly associated with the practice of SMOD at bivariate logistic regression. Though the majority of respondents considered self-medication with ophthalmic drugs as inappropriate, a significant number of them practising it. This mandates relevant bodies to take stricter measures to protect the public from the misuse of eye medications.

Tesfay H ，Fiseha K ，Abera S ，Mihreteab Siele S ，Tesfamariam EH ，Abdu N ... -  《BMJ Open》

A cross-sectional study on the proper administration of eye medications and its determinants among outpatients attending Brhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea.

This study aimed to assess the administration technique of eye medications, its determinants and disposal practices among ophthalmic outpatients. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Brhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea. Samples of ophthalmic outpatients aged >18 years who visited Brhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data were collected from August 2021 to September 2021, using an interview-based questionnaire. The collected data were entered and analysed using CSPro (V.7.3) and SPSS (V.26), respectively. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test were performed. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. A total of 333 respondents with a mean age of 56.4 (SD: 18.76) years were recruited in the study. More than half of the respondents (57.4%) did not have any information on the time interval between two successive eye medications. However, only 16.5% of the respondents managed to close their tear ducts after the administration of eye medication. The mean (SD) score for proper administration of eye medication was 4.16 (1.07) out of 7.0. Female sex (p=0.002), the absence of glaucoma (p=0.035) and the presence of cataract (p=0.014) were significant determinants of the proper administration technique of eye medication. The most favoured disposal practice for unused and/or expired eye medications was disposing of regular garbage (79.9%). This research revealed that there was an inappropriate administration technique and disposal practices of eye medications among ophthalmic outpatients. This requires immediate attention from policy-makers, programme managers and healthcare professionals to ensure the appropriate use of eye medications by the patients.

Abdu N ，Weldemariam DG ，Goitom Tesfagaber A ，Tewelde T ，Tesfamariam EH ... -  《BMJ Open》

Prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and associated factors in the community of Asmara, Eritrea: a descriptive cross sectional survey.

Ateshim Y ，Bereket B ，Major F ，Emun Y ，Woldai B ，Pasha I ，Habte E ，Russom M ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Self-medication with over the counter drugs, prevalence of risky practice and its associated factors in pharmacy outlets of Asmara, Eritrea.

Tesfamariam S ，Anand IS ，Kaleab G ，Berhane S ，Woldai B ，Habte E ，Russom M ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

Knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotics and their determinants in Eritrea: an urban population-based survey.

To measure knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance (ABR) and their determinants in the Eritrean urban population. A population-based, nation-wide, cross-sectional study. Urban settings of Eritrea. Members of the general public aged ≥18 years and living in 13 urban places of Eritrea. Three-stage stratified cluster sampling was used to select the study participants. Date were collected from July 2019 to September 2019 in a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were double entered and analysed using Census and Survey Processing system (V.7.0) and SPSS (V.23), respectively. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test, t-tests, analysis of variance, factorial analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed. All analyses were weighted and p<0.05 was considered significant. Main outcome variables were knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotics and ABR. Secondary outcome measure was the determinants of knowledge, attitude and practice. A total of 2477 adults were interviewed. The mean score of knowledge and attitude of antibiotics and ABR was 10.36/20 (SD=3.51, minimum=0 and maximum=20) and 22.34/30 (SD=3.59, minimum=6 and maximum=30), respectively. Of those who used antibiotics, the proportion of at least one inappropriate practice (use of antibiotics without prescription and/or discontinuation of prescribed antibiotics before completing the full course) was 23.8%. Young age <24 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.61, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.41), male sex (AOR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.91), higher level of education (AOR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.88), and negative attitude towards appropriate use of antibiotics (AOR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97) were found to be the significant determinants of inappropriate practice of antibiotics. The gap in knowledge and inappropriate practice of antibiotics in the Eritrean urban population was widespread; requiring immediate attention from policy-makers and healthcare professionals.

Russom M ，Bahta M ，Debesai M ，Bahta I ，Kessete A ，Afendi A ，Fitsum Y ，Nambozi J ，Kidane SN ，Tesfamariam EH ... -  《BMJ Open》