Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Epidemiology of Self-Medication Practice among Libyans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Version 1 : Received: 26 June 2020 / Approved: 28 June 2020 / Online: 28 June 2020 (10:03:59 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Atia, A. Epidemiology of self-medication practice among Libyans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Zenodo 2020, doi:10.5281/ZENODO.3912021. Atia, A. Epidemiology of self-medication practice among Libyans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Zenodo 2020, doi:10.5281/ZENODO.3912021.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In Libya, prescription medicines can easily be dispensed without a prescription, as self-medication with the subsequent of potential misuse and unnecessary risk for patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the prevalence of self-medication among citizens in Libya. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, Medline, Scopus, google scholar and ResearchGate databases for studies published in Libya reporting the prevalence of non-prescription use of medicines in community pharmacies, targeting studies published from Jan 2008 until Dec 2019. A random meta-analysis was performed to analyze pooled estimates of non-prescription usage of medicines. Results: Out of 63 articles identified, a total of 13 papers from 7 cities were met the inclusion criteria and involved a total of 4741 subjects. The overall pooled proportion of self-medication of drugs was 53.6% (95% CI: 0.93% - 1.08%), with low heterogeneity and the P-value of the whole population tasted was found to be = 1.000 (df = 12). Seven out of the 13 studies reported data on self-medication for antibiotics without prescription. The records ranged from 15.3% (95% CI 0.61–1.65) in Misurata to 76.6% (95% CI 0.80–1.25) in Tripoli. Conclusion: Self-medication use of medicines among Libyan population is a common phenomenon involving a high proportion use of antibiotics. This misuse of medications could enhance the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Keywords

Self-medication; dispensing; drug; prescription; misuse; Libya

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Pharmacology and Toxicology

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