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Evaluation of Self-Medication Practices in the Treatment of Eye Diseases in the Ophthalmology Department of Niamey National Hospital in Niger

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the practice of self-medication for ocular conditions at the Ophthalmology Department of the National Hospital of Niamey. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study conducted over a six-month period. The variables analyzed included age, sex, occupation, educational level, presenting symptoms, diagnosed ocular conditions, types of products used, factors motivating self-medication, and patients’ level of knowledge about the products used. Results: The hospital prevalence of self-medication was 24.65%. The mean age of patients was 33.8 ± 22.27 years. Female patients were slightly predominant (male-to-female ratio = 0.97). The main reasons for consultation were ocular pain (46.48%), redness (43.66%), and visual loss (39.44%). The leading reason for self-medication was economic constraints (26.71%). In 52.11% of cases, self-medication was initiated by the patients themselves. Products used were pharmacological in 74.65% of cases and traditional in 25.35%. Eye drops were the most common pharmaceutical form (83.02%), primarily antibiotic-based (49.06%), and most often obtained from pharmacies (43.66%). Among traditional treatments, herbal remedies were the most frequently used (72.22%). 60.56% of patients reported having no knowledge of the nature of the product used. Conclusion: Self-medication is common among ophthalmology patients in our setting, primarily driven by economic factors. Public awareness and stricter regulation of ocular drug dispensing are essential to minimize the associated risks.

Source: Open Journal of Ophthalmology

DOI: 10.4236/ojoph.2025.154026