Masters Dissertations

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    Factors associated with use of moderm antimalarial drugs in self-medication among adults in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1995) Halelwa, Moses Andrew
    Studies show that, in most cases, initially (early) treatment of common infections like Malaria are handled by lay people; in many cases using incorrect dosage. A total of 1260 adults aged 15 to 64 years were sampled in Kinondoni district using multi-stage sampling technique. Information on how they acted (including choice and dosage of drugs) in a recent episode of “fever’ or symptoms suggestive of malaria was estimated in 980 of them with the help of a structures questionnaire. The policy( and rationale) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) concerning self-medication in malareia related syndromes was explored with the help of an in-depth interview. The findings showed that 319(32.5%) started on self-medication with modern drugs with most of them, 585 (87.5%) using chloroquine tablets. On the other Hand, a proportion as high as 58.4% used chloroquine tablets incorrectly. The root of incorrect dosage was found to be adaption of a uniform dosage of chloroquine for any adult irrespective of body weight.as apolicy, the MoH was found not to accept self medication and does not have a component directed towards improving the knowledge of the general populations on correct use of chloroquine tablets at home. At the same time the MoH was found to have allowed sale of chloroquine tablets without prescription; which is actually allowing self use (medication) of the drug. It is recommended that the MoH needs to accept the existence of contradictions in its policy; review it to adapt the policy of the World Health Organisation recognizing self-medication as a major and cost-effective approach in malaria treatment. With such a stand the MoH would be expected to provide basic knowledge on the diagnosis of Malaria and correct dosage of chloroquine tablets to the general population