Drug Use Practices and Self-Treatment for Suspected Malaria in Ibadan, Nigeria

Oluwayemi J. Bamikole Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Taiwo H. Olajide Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Babajide A. Adedeji Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

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Subulade A. Ademola Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Ayorinde F. Fayehun Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Noah O. Bukoye Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Miles-Dei B. Olufeagba Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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Olukemi K. Amodu Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria;

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ABSTRACT.

Antimalarial drug failures have been reported anecdotally in Nigeria, and malarial self-treatment practices could be a contributing factor. This study was designed to assess the pattern of drug use practices and self-treatment options among caregivers in Ibadan, Nigeria. We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study among 283 study participant pairs (children under 5 years of age with suspected malaria and their caregivers). Structured questionnaires were used as research instruments. The results indicated that most caregivers were mothers (88.8%), 69% of caregivers self-prescribed and self-managed malaria for children under 5 years old without immediate hospital visits, and 76.4% of the caregivers believed most recommended and available antimalarial drugs were ineffective. Generally, 44.2% of respondents preferred and used antibiotics as a treatment strategy for malaria, 13.2% used agbo (a locally made liquid extract of plants and roots), 12.5% used prayers, and 19.6% used antimalarial drugs. Overall, only 57.1% of respondents stated that they always complete the standard antimalarial dosage regimen. The choice of malaria self-treatment options was significantly linked to the level of education. The findings identified antibiotics, agbo, and prayers as the immediate choices for self-treating malaria disease in Ibadan. Furthermore, incomplete adherence to antimalarial drugs is a general practice in Ibadan. Malaria self-treatment policy and continuous education on antimalarial drug use tailored to the different literacy and education levels of the general public is hereby recommended to reduce the risk of development of parasite resistance to effective anti-malarial drugs.

Author Notes

Address correspondence to Oluwayemi J. Bamikole, Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria. E-mail: bamikoleyemi@gmail.com

Authors’ addresses: Oluwayemi J. Bamikole, Taiwo H. Olajide, Subulade A. Ademola, Ayorinde F, Fayehun, Noah O. Bukoye, Miles-Dei B. Olufeagba, and Olukemi K. Amodu, Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, E-mails: bamikoleyemi@gmail.com, olajidetaiwo15@yahoo.com, subuladeolaniyan@gmail.com, ayofayehun@yahoo.com, noahbukoye@gmail.com, mben.olufsen@gmail.com, and amkemi@hotmail.com. Babajide A. Adedeji, Molecular and Genetics Unit, Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria, E-mail: boluadedeji@gmail.com.

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