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76 Adeba et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2024; 10(1): 72-77
Table 4. Bivariate model and final multivariable model of risk factors for self-medication in Gubre town
Factor Self‑medication Crude OR (95% CI) Adjusted OR (95% CI)
Yes No
Marital status
Single 27 64 1 1
Married 70 199 1.199 (2.097 – 2.996)** 1.59 (1.09 – 2.62)*
Divorced 2 5 1.05 (0.84 – 4.51) 1.01 (0.22 – 1.19)
Widowed 14 17 0.51 (2.35 – 2.82) 1.06 (1.01 – 1.92)
Educational status
Illiterate 20 58 1 1
Read and write 26 48 0.636 (0.54 – 2.90) 1.10 (0.76 – 1.97)
Elementary (1 – 8) 30 46 0.528 (0.27 – 4.47) 1.33 (0.75 – 3.21)
Secondary (9 – 12) 26 93 1.02 (0.458 – 2.25) 1.87 (0.34 – 1.67)
Higher (12+) 11 40 1.25 (1.55 – 2.47)** 1.672 (1.032 – 2.01)**
Occupation
Employed 59 205 0.39 (0.253 – 2.59) 0.93 (0.12 – 2.02)
Non-Employed 54 80 1 1
Income (Ethiopian birr)
<1500 46 116 0.280 (0.04 – 0.97) 0.56 (0.33 – 1.76)
1500 – 5000 66 160 0.27 (0.16 – 0.89) 0.431 (0.32 – 0.90)
>5000 1 9 1 1
Thinking about self-medication
A good practice 93 227 1.494 (1.12 – 1.78)** 1.65 (1.32 – 1.89)**
Not an acceptable practice 20 1 1
Peer influence for self-medication
Yes 70 190 1.23 (1.02 – 1.73)** 1.54 (1.30 – 2.32)**
No 43 95 1 1
NB: *0.05> P>0.01; **P≤0.01. OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval

about 1.54 times more likely to self-medicate as compared to be given to the Gubre town residents to minimize inappropriate
respondents who had no peer influence (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: self-medication practices. It is highly essential to disseminate
1.304 – 2.321). This result was supported by a study carried out health information to create awareness among people regarding
in the Meket district in northeast Ethiopia. Peer influence on self- the disadvantages of self-medication practice through leaflets,
medication might stem from the belief in oneself and compliance mass media, and health education.
with what is considered normal by one’s friends. Acknowledgments
Access to medical information was also implicated in a
significant association with self-medication. Respondents who We would like to thank the data collectors, supervisors,
had no access to medical information were about 1.452 times more colleagues, and study participants for their kind provision of
likely to self-medicate as compared to respondents who had access crucial support during the data collection period.
to medical information (AOR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.263 – 1.570).
This finding was supported by another study [16]. Possibly, the Funding
increased prevalence of self-medication was precipitated by a lack None.
of adequate knowledge about adverse reactions and side effects.
A notable limitation of this cross-sectional study is that a cause- Conflict of Interest
effect relationship cannot be delineated. The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

5. Conclusion Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
According to this study, nearly a quarter of the study Ethical clearance was obtained from the Wolkite University,
participants practice self-medication. Headache, cough, fever, College of Medicine and Health Science Institutional Ethical
and abdominal pain are identified as the most common symptoms Review Board. All procedures were performed in adherence
for respondents to practice self-medication. Being married, being with the guidelines and regulations relevant to human research.
literate, perceiving self-medication as an acceptable practice, peer Both verbal and written informed consent was obtained from
influence, and access to medical information were significantly all subjects for the study. Legally authorized representatives of
associated with self-medication practice. Health education should illiterate participants provided informed consent for the study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36922/jctr.00098