BMJ open · 2026
Ophthalmic self-medication among adult ophthalmic patients attending a tertiary eye care centre in Northwest Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study assessing prevalence, associated factors and lived experience.
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Wondemagegnehu Edom Netsanet, Mengesha Elshaday Getaneh, Eticha Biruk Lelisa, Birhan Getenet Shumet
Аннотация
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of ophthalmic self-medication (OSM) and explore the lived experiences of adult patients with ophthalmic problems attending the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia.
DESIGN: An institution-based mixed-methods study comprising a cross-sectional quantitative component and a phenomenological qualitative component.
SETTING: This study was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, between 28 May and 6 August 2025.
PARTICIPANTS: For the quantitative component, 463 adult patients with ophthalmic problems were included via systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS V.27. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with OSM. For the qualitative component, eight participants with a history of OSM were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, and data were thematically analysed using OpenCode V.4.0.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of OSM, factors associated with OSM and themes from the qualitative analysis.
RESULTS: The prevalence of OSM was 43.4% (95% CI 38.8 to 48.1). Significant predictors included long travel distance to health facilities (adjusted OR (AOR) = 4.49; 95% CI 2.48 to 8.16), drug availability at home (AOR=3.33; 95% CI 1.97 to 5.62), chronic systemic illness (AOR=2.96; 95% CI 1.51 to 5.80), poor knowledge about risks (AOR=3.19; 95% CI 1.95 to 5.21) and lack of health insurance (AOR=2.29; 95% CI 1.25 to 4.20). Older age was a protective factor (AOR=0.22; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.71). Qualitative findings revealed that accessibility, perceived knowledge, socio-cultural influences, symptom severity and health system barriers were key reasons for OSM.
CONCLUSION: OSM is common in Northwest Ethiopia, driven by both individual and systemic factors. Interventions should focus on awareness creation, expanding insurance coverage, regulating over-the-counter sales and improving access to eye care services.
DESIGN: An institution-based mixed-methods study comprising a cross-sectional quantitative component and a phenomenological qualitative component.
SETTING: This study was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia, between 28 May and 6 August 2025.
PARTICIPANTS: For the quantitative component, 463 adult patients with ophthalmic problems were included via systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS V.27. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with OSM. For the qualitative component, eight participants with a history of OSM were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, and data were thematically analysed using OpenCode V.4.0.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of OSM, factors associated with OSM and themes from the qualitative analysis.
RESULTS: The prevalence of OSM was 43.4% (95% CI 38.8 to 48.1). Significant predictors included long travel distance to health facilities (adjusted OR (AOR) = 4.49; 95% CI 2.48 to 8.16), drug availability at home (AOR=3.33; 95% CI 1.97 to 5.62), chronic systemic illness (AOR=2.96; 95% CI 1.51 to 5.80), poor knowledge about risks (AOR=3.19; 95% CI 1.95 to 5.21) and lack of health insurance (AOR=2.29; 95% CI 1.25 to 4.20). Older age was a protective factor (AOR=0.22; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.71). Qualitative findings revealed that accessibility, perceived knowledge, socio-cultural influences, symptom severity and health system barriers were key reasons for OSM.
CONCLUSION: OSM is common in Northwest Ethiopia, driven by both individual and systemic factors. Interventions should focus on awareness creation, expanding insurance coverage, regulating over-the-counter sales and improving access to eye care services.