Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, trends, and causes of self-medication among
students at Kampala International University's western campus in Bushenyi, Uganda. The
data was collected through semi-structured interviewer-led questionnaires and analyzed
using SPSS version 20. The results showed that self-medication was prevalent at 63.5%, with
minor illnesses, time savings, outdated prescriptions, and high consultation costs as the
top reasons. Other reasons included risk of using the wrong drugs, lack of knowledge, fear
of side effects, using the wrong drugs, and misdiagnosis. The majority of respondents used
friends and family, private clinics, and private clinics to obtain drugs. Painkillers,
antibiotics, and headache medications were most frequently used. Factors such as allergies,
being a woman, and senior year college increased the likelihood of self-medication. There
was no significant difference between medical and non-medical students in selfmedication.
However, lack of access to medical care increased the likelihood of selfmedication.
The study suggests expanding essential medical services to provide students
with information on medications, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatments.