“The Factors Affecting the Extent of Self-Medication using Antibiotic Drugs among Mothers in Municipality of Ditsaan Ramain, Lanao
del Sur,”
Author: Prof. Alibasher D. Macalnas │ Co-author: Dr. Cynthia M. Filipinas
College of Health Sciences - Mindanao State University, Main Campus
Introduction/Background
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). Self-medication is a behavior in which individual uses
drugs for self-diagnosed condition or illness. The Department of
Health and its subdivision, the Food and Drug Administration
have expressed their concern over the serious problem on
growing numbers of people who self-medicate.
Aim
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.
Methods
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 drugs. The null
hypothesis to show the relationship between self-medication
causing factors and the extent of self-medication practice using
antibiotics has been rejected at α = 0.05.
Poster # 68
Results
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. Another is the sari-sari store
which was very accessible to the mothers where they can easily buy antibiotic drugs even without a prescription
from the physician. Accordingly, other ways to obtain antibiotic drugs for self-medication are through the barangay
health workers, from their husbands, from the elder members of their family and from professional members of
their family. All of which raise the rate of self-medication.
Conclusion
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 Municipal Health Office is enjoined to
conduct trainings for health personnel on antibiotic drug dispensing policies and safety. The implementing officials
need to strictly 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.
The future researchers, a more extensive study be conducted on the behavior of an individual who
practice self-medication and the prevalence of the practice in a larger scope.
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. This holds true to Registered Nurses.