Abstract

Background: Self-medication and the use of traditional eye medicine (TEM) pose significant public health risks, particularly in low-resource settings, as they may delay professional evaluation and appropriate treatment of ocular conditions. This study assessed the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of self-medication and TEM use for ocular symptoms among adults in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified sample of 450 adults aged ≥18 years residing in the Jazan region. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire that captured sociodemographic characteristics, self-medication practices, TEM use (as dependent variables), sources of medication advice, safe medication behaviors, and self-reported adverse events. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while associations were evaluated using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses, reporting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Among the 450 respondents (64.0% female; 50.4% aged 18-29 years; 80.9% university educated), the prevalence of self-medication for ocular symptoms was 19.3% (95% CI: 15.7%-23.4%). Eye redness (26.1%) and itching (22.2%) were the most frequently reported triggers. TEM use was reported by 31.1% of participants, although 93.6% expressed a preference for conventional medical treatments. Educational level was significantly associated with self-medication (p = 0.016), with higher use among participants with a high school education compared with university graduates (28.4% vs. 17.3%; OR = 1.64). Among TEM users, 43.6% reported adverse effects (95% CI: 35.2%-52.4%), while no adverse effects were reported among non-users, resulting in a population-level adverse-effect rate of 13.6% (95% CI: 10.6%-17.2%). Healthcare professionals were the most common source of advice (27.6%), whereas 40.5% reported receiving no guidance.
Conclusion: Self-medication for ocular symptoms affects one in five adults in the Jazan region, with educational attainment emerging as a key determinant. The high rate of adverse effects associated with TEM use highlights an urgent need for targeted public health education, improved access to professional eye care, and stricter regulation of traditional ocular treatments.

Key words: Self-medication, traditional eye medicine, ocular symptoms, public health, Saudi Arabia, Adverse effects.