Self-treatment in a health environment marked by social vulnerability: the case of sexually transmitted infections in Morocco

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health problem. Most of these infections can be easily diagnosed and treated. The treatment and management of these infections require the mobilization of all health professionals and the active participation of patients. Self-treatment of sexually transmitted infections is common but little studied in Morocco. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the factors associated with self-treatment and its effects on the duration of symptoms of sexually transmitted infections before medical management. A cross-sectional interview survey of 1,100 women of childbearing age in health facilities in the province of Essaouira was carried out in search of factors associated with self-treatment in the presence of signs of sexually transmitted infections. In this context, self-medication in the presence of signs of STI was reported by 16.3% of women of childbearing age surveyed. This self-medication was statistically associated with the woman's level of education (p = 0.000), diagnosis of an STI syndrome after examination (p < 0.01), marital status (p < 0.05), decision to seek treatment (p < 0.05), distance from the nearest health facility (p < 0.05), age of first sexual intercourse (p < 0.001), and monthly family income (p < 0.05). Age, place of residence, and multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months were not associated with self-medication (> 0.05). Finally, self-medication is common among patients with sexually transmitted infections, but these individuals are limited by a lack of information about the adverse effects, interactions, and contraindications of these drugs.