Prevalence and determinants of self-medication Practices among bank staff
1
School of Post Graduate Studies and Research Cavendish University Uganda, Cavendish University Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Self-medication, the use of medicines without professional supervision, is a widespread public health concern. In Uganda, studies have focused on general and student populations, showing high prevalence rates. However, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding professional groups, such as bank employees, who face high-stress environments and may have greater access to medications and online health information. This study investigated the prevalence and key behavioral determinants of self-medication among staff at the Bank of Uganda.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 Bank of Uganda staff selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which included sections on socio-demographics, self-medication practices, and constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of self-medication practices.
RESULTS:
The study found an extremely high prevalence of self-medication at 89.7% among respondents. Common cold and flu were the most frequently self-medicated conditions (28.5%). Logistic regression analysis identified two strong positive predictors of self-medication: perceived behavioral control (b = 0.219, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (b = 0.255, p < 0.001). This indicates that an individual's confidence in their ability to self-medicate and the social pressure from their peers significantly influence their decision to engage in self-medication.
CONCLUSIONS:
Self-medication is highly prevalent among Bank of Uganda staff, driven significantly by psychosocial factors. These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted workplace interventions. The study recommends integrating education on safe medication practices and antimicrobial stewardship into corporate wellness programs. Policymakers should also strengthen regulations around the sale of medicines, particularly online, to mitigate the risks associated with self-medication in professional populations.
Self-medication, the use of medicines without professional supervision, is a widespread public health concern. In Uganda, studies have focused on general and student populations, showing high prevalence rates. However, there is a critical knowledge gap regarding professional groups, such as bank employees, who face high-stress environments and may have greater access to medications and online health information. This study investigated the prevalence and key behavioral determinants of self-medication among staff at the Bank of Uganda.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 Bank of Uganda staff selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, which included sections on socio-demographics, self-medication practices, and constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant predictors of self-medication practices.
RESULTS:
The study found an extremely high prevalence of self-medication at 89.7% among respondents. Common cold and flu were the most frequently self-medicated conditions (28.5%). Logistic regression analysis identified two strong positive predictors of self-medication: perceived behavioral control (b = 0.219, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (b = 0.255, p < 0.001). This indicates that an individual's confidence in their ability to self-medicate and the social pressure from their peers significantly influence their decision to engage in self-medication.
CONCLUSIONS:
Self-medication is highly prevalent among Bank of Uganda staff, driven significantly by psychosocial factors. These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted workplace interventions. The study recommends integrating education on safe medication practices and antimicrobial stewardship into corporate wellness programs. Policymakers should also strengthen regulations around the sale of medicines, particularly online, to mitigate the risks associated with self-medication in professional populations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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