Self-Medication in Côte d’Ivoire: Hidden Health Risks

Innovation - Compassion - Health

🧭 Introduction

In Côte d’Ivoire, easy access to certain over-the-counter medicines and the lack of reliable health information drive many people to self-medicate. While this practice can sometimes be helpful for managing minor ailments, it becomes dangerous when overused, misinformed, or influenced by harmful popular beliefs.

❓ What Is Self-Medication?

Self-medication refers to taking drugs without medical advice, often to treat perceived minor symptoms such as fever, headaches, cough, or stomach pain.
It includes:

• Using leftover medications from past treatments

• Following advice from friends or relatives

• Buying medicines from pharmacies without a prescription

🇨🇮 A Widespread Practice in Côte d’Ivoire

In both urban and rural areas, many Ivorians self-medicate due to financial constraints, habit, or mistrust of healthcare structures.
According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS, 2021), over 60% of people treat common symptoms without seeing a healthcare professional.

⚠️ The Dangers of Excessive Self-Medication

• Incorrect Dosages
  Overdosing can cause severe poisoning, especially in children.

• Drug Interactions
  Some medications should never be taken together and can trigger dangerous reactions.

• Masked Symptoms
  Self-treatment can delay the diagnosis of serious conditions like malaria, tuberculosis, or hypertension.

• Antibiotic Resistance
  Improper use of antibiotics leads to the development of resistant bacteria, which are harder and costlier to treat.
  (Sources: Institut Pasteur – SARA Project, WHO – GAVI)

📍 Real-Life Examples

• A young woman repeatedly took paracetamol for abdominal pain, delaying the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

• A child was hospitalized after consuming a cough syrup inappropriate for his age, resulting in drug poisoning.

✅ How to Stay Safe

• Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.

• Read the patient information leaflet carefully.

• Never share your medication with others.

• Purchase drugs only from licensed pharmacies.

📣 Raising Awareness

Campaigns like the one led by UPSA in Côte d’Ivoire (2019) against street medicine aim to educate the population about the dangers of uncontrolled self-medication.

🩺 Conclusion

Excessive self-medication is not a sign of independence — it’s a threat to public health.
At Pharmacie Bethy, we encourage everyone to make informed, responsible medical decisions.
Health may be priceless, but it has rules. Let’s respect them, together.

📚 Sources & References

• Institut National de la Statistique (2021) – Availability of essential medicines in health centers
  👉 World Bank Report

• Institut Pasteur – SARA Project – Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Africa
  👉 pasteur.fr

• World Health Organization (2023) – Antimicrobial resistance overtakes malaria, HIV, and TB
  👉 gavi.org

• UPSA (2019) – Campaign against street medication in Côte d’Ivoire
  👉 upsa.com

• Yuma, A. P. et al. (2023) – Self-medication among university students in DRC
  👉 PMC – Pan African Medical Journal

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