SELF-MEDICATION WITH ANTIMALARIAL-DRUGS IN DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, using a questionnaire to assess the extent of self medication with antimalarial drugs and malaria treatment seeking behaviour among patients attending out-patient treatment at Mnazi mmoja dispensary. It was found that 15.3% of respondents admitted to having ever used malaria chemoprophylaxis while 8.0% reported to be current users of chemoprophylaxis. Among the current users of malaria chemoprophylaxis, some reported having used quinine and Fansidar(R). While 71.7% reported having treated themselves with home kept antimalarial drugs for a suspected malaria fever, 14.7% consulted traditional healers, The data suggest the need for increasing Public awareness on malaria and appropriate use of antimalarial drugs.