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.

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.