Skip to main content
. 2024 Jun 9;13:61. doi: 10.1186/s13756-024-01417-1

Table 7.

Perceived illnesses/symptoms for which antibiotics are used for self-medication

Author, year Perceived illnesses/symptoms Percentage
Bogale et al. 2019 [25] Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). 60.1%
Common cold (32.6%),
common febrile illness (28.7%),
diarrhea (27.1%),
malaria (3.7%).
Kassa et al. 2022 [30] Respiratory problems 29 40.3
Gastro intestinal problems 28 38.9
Skin problems 3 4.2
Urinary tract problems 6 8.3
Unidentified cases 6 8.3
Demissie et al. 2022 [32] Aches and pains (15.5%)
Typhoid and typhus (8.1%)
Cough (6.3%)

Community acquired

Pneumonia (CAP)

(3.4%)
Diarrhea (4.3%)
amebiasis (2.5%)
Tonsillitis (1.7%)
wound (1.5)
Mossa et al. 2012 [35] Headache 30(38.5)
Fever 28(35.9)
Cough 11(14.1)
Diarrhea 8(10.2)
Abdominal pain 8(10.2)
Joint & back pain 28(35.9)
Nausea & vomiting 6(8.5)
Other 6(8.5)