“The Factors Affecting the Extent of Self-Medication using Antibiotic Drugs

among Mothers in Municipality of Ditsaan Ramain, Lanao del Sur,”

Asst. Prof. Alibasher D. Macalnas, MAN, RN, RM, LPT

Prof. Cynthia M. Filipinas, PhD, MAN, RN
College of Health Sciences - Mindanao State University, Main Campus
Email Address: alibashermacalnas@gmail.com/ 09305599633/ 0977100270

With the advent of increasing antibiotic drug resistance, self-medication and

inappropriate antibiotic drug use are the perceived cause of this worldwide phenomenon
(WHO, 2012). The Department of Health and its subdivision, the Food and Drug
Administration have expressed their concern over the severe problem on growing
numbers of people who self-medicate. The main aim of the study is to determine the
relationship between factors causing self-medication with antibiotic drugs and the extent
of self-medication practice among mothers in the municipality of Ditsaan Ramain, Lanao
del Sur. This is a descriptive-correlational study on the perceptions of 360 mothers in
the municipality of Ditsaan Ramain, Lanao del Sur on the self-medication practice using
antibiotic drug, the factors causing this practice and the relationship between the factors
causing self-medication and the extent of self-medication practice using antibiotic drug.
It is observed that: Self-medication practices is prevalent in the setting of the study with
younger mothers belonging to the middle-aged group, have taken secondary level of
education unemployed and with a monthly family income of below 5, 000 Php. Due to
the distance of houses from health facilities especially the RHU, respondent mothers
opt to self-medicate using antibiotic drug without prescription. Mostly of the health
personnel in the RHU were not available for consultation as perceived by the
respondent mothers, although whenever they have the chance to see health personnel,
they were given appropriate information and taught properly on the use of antibiotic
drugs. Pharmacies in the nearby places play a vital role in the self-medication practice
using antibiotic drugs with the respondents expressing their easy access in obtaining
antibiotic drugs. It is recommended that a protocol be made on antibiotic drug
dispensing; an awareness campaign with regards to antibiotic drug resistance to the
grassroots in the community especially in far flung areas be undertaken. The Barangay
Local Government Unit should be tapped on this awareness campaign after an
extensive meeting with the Local Chief Executive of the municipality. The implementing
officials need to monitor activities relative to antibiotic drug resistance and policy. An
outreach program to far-flung areas should be done to monitor the health activates of
the family and their self-medication practice. Nursing schools should be strict in the
health education skills, the integration of such in the skills demonstration and return
demonstrations with regards to patients’ safety and medication errors brought about by
self-medication.
Keywords: self-medication, antibiotic drugs, anti-microbial resistance