self meds(thesis)
TRANSCRIPT
SELF MEDICATION: IT’S EFFECT TO THE HEALTH STATUS IN THE RESIDENTS OF THE BRGY STO.ANGEL NORTE
STA, CRUZ, LAGUNA
A Research PaperPresented to the
Faculty of the College of NursingLaguna State Polytechnic University
Main CampusSta. Cruz, Laguna
In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
MS. NERGELYN CARDOZA GAUNA2012
Chapter 1
PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUD
Introduction
Medicines are certainly meant to provide relief from ailments but their
indiscriminate use can lead to serious health problems, nowadays everybody
demands for fast result. When it comes to health problems or simple physical
discomfort, we pop that pill without thinking its side effect.
Self-medication is a term used to describe the use of drugs (including
alcohol) or other self-soothing forms of behavior to treat untreated and often
undiagnosed mental distress, stress and anxiety, including mental illnesses
and/or psychological trauma.
Self-medication is also a form of self-care, and a critical one. Products
to be used for such purposes can be defined as those “the average consumer
can use to treat minor, self-limiting illnesses without the intervention of a
prescribing, dispensing or monitoring health professional with relative
assurance of its safety and effectiveness.” Medications of this type are usually
known as non-prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Background of the Study It has been said that self medications is always dangerous. One might
be tempted to take too much of something that may be alright in smaller
doses. It is much wiser to seek proper medical counsel. The free use of the
drugs is the cause of much ill health today. Many of these drugs interfere with
the normal physiology of the body, bringing in condition that is far worse than
they were intended to relieve. Nothing is less conductive to health than to be
always swallowing a pill of one sort or another. Some families are in a habit of
taking some kinds of medicines from early childhood that they keep on taking
until now.
The researcher was stimulated to study self medications to find out
what will be the effects of using Over the Counter medicines in the health
status among the residents of Brgy Sto. Angel Norte Sta. Cruz, Laguna. She
was stimulated to pursue this investigation because of what she observed in
her locality Brgy since majority of the resident are taking over the counter
medications. The researcher wanted to know what will be the advantages and
disadvantages of self medications in the person using it. The researcher
believes that through this study they could impart knowledge and help other
people to understand about taking over the counter medications.
Theoretical Framework
Duncans Model of Drug Dependence as Self-Medication. The
distinction between drug use and drug abuse is critical to Duncan’s model. He
asserts that most of the people who take illegal drugs do not meet criteria for
substance abuse, let alone for dependence. The great majority exercise
control and restraint over their drug use and suffer no harm from using. His
model is concerned with describing why a minority (10-20%) of those who
take drugs non-medically do lose control over their use and expose
themselves to serious social, interpersonal and medical risks. He and Dr.
Robert S. Gold have also explored the implications of his model for the
primary prevention of drug abuse (Duncan & Gold, 1982 & 1983) and the
tertiary prevention of the destructive consequences of drug abuse.
Psychological dependence "refers to the experience of impaired control
over drug use" while "physical dependence involves the development of
tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use of the drug, as a
consequence of the body's adaptation to the continued presence of a drug"
(UNIDCP, 1998). In Duncans view, physical dependence is a lesser problem
which occurs in addiction to some drugs, such as alcohol and opiates, but not
in addiction to cocaine, heroin, etc., nor in non-drug addictions such as
compulsive gambling.
Duncan essentially argues that drug dependence is just another name for
avoidance or escape behavior when the operant behavior being reinforced is
drug taking. Drug addicts, in his view, have found a drug which provided them
with temporary escape from an ongoing state of emotional distress which
might be due to a mental disorder, to stress, or to an aversive environment.
Non-drug addictions, in his opinion, represent similar negatively reinforced
behavior. Duncan asserts that the characteristics of dependence are all
typical of operant behaviors maintained by negative reinforcement. Negative
reinforcement maintains high rates of behavior. Animals that have been
negatively reinforced for performing a task such as pressing a bar will often
do so to the exclusion of eating, sleeping, sexual activity, etc. Avoidance
behaviors are highly resistant to extinction and even when they appear to
have been eliminated they tend to recur spontaneously. Thus the intensity,
compulsiveness and proneness to relapse that characterize drug dependence
all result, in Duncan’s opinion, from the fact that the behavior is maintained by
negative reinforcement.
Conceptual framework
The researcher conceptualized that the independent variables are the
factors contribute to self medication and the dependent variable are the
reason for the independent variables.
The conceptual framework is illustrated in the form of paradigm below.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLE
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE:
Age Gender Economic status Educational
Attainment
COMPLIANCE TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE
FRAME 1 FRAME 2
The paradigm illustrates the conceptual framework of the study in the
effects in the health status of the people using over the counter medicines.
Frame 1- Consist of the independent variables which include the common
and possible factors that contribute to self medication.
Frame 2- Consist of the dependent variables consist of what the researcher
wants to find out, on how the independent variables contribute to the
dependent variable.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to determine the effects of self medication in the health
status among the residents of Brgy Sto. Angel Norte Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Specifically the study sought to answer the following questions:
1) What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 Age;
1.2 Gender;
1.3 Economic status;
1.4 Educational Attainment?
2) What are the common factors that contribute to self medications?
3) Effects of self medication in the health status of the respondents in
terms of:
1.1 Age;
1.2 Gender;
1.3 Economic status;
1.4 Educational Attainment?
4) Is there a significant effect of self medications in the health status of the
respondents?
Hypothesis
There is a significant effect of self medications in the health status of the
respondents.
Significance of the Study
The study which aimed to provide data on how each individual understands
the possible effects of self medications in their health status.
Respondents.
The researcher hopes that this study will help the people who are using over
the counter medicines understand the importance of health in each individual,
and have information and ideas about the medicines that they take.
Nursing Students.
The researcher hopes that the study will help nursing students to understand
and gain knowledge about self medications.
Future Researchers.
This research will give additional information for those who will conduct
another study about the effects in the health status in self medication.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is composed of 50-60 respondents/persons taking an Over
the counter medicines. They are randomly chosen in Brgy Sto. Angel Norte
Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The target populations in the study are the person who is
taking OTC medicines.
The research will focus on the effects of self medication in the health
status of the person. In accordance to the study, the researcher has set
criteria is selecting and delegating the respondents: (1) should be residents in
Brgy Sto. Angel Norte Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The age of 18 and below or 60 and
above are not included for the researcher considers the capacity of individual
to answer the questionnaires; (2) a person who are using OTC
medicines ,and all of them have different reasons in using OTC medicines.
Definition of terms
Generally, the terms used in the study pertain to their popular
connotations but there are a few terms which need clarification. There are
defined in the context of their use in the study:
Self medications – People who are taking medication on its own decision.
Effects - Result of taking medicines.
Health status – Condition of the people using over the counter medications
Over the counter drugs - Medicines that are sold directly without the
doctor’s prescription.
Prescription- It is medicines that are safe when used under a doctor’s care.
Health- Is a complete physical, emotional, spiritual well-being of a person.
Medicine – Person used to treat diseases.
Gender – It is sexual category of the person.
Economic status – It is a financial condition of the people.
Educational Attainment – It is a person level of learning.
Compliance- Act of obedience of following to a certain law or regulation of an
institution.
Chapter 2
RELATED LITERATUE AND RELATED STUDIES
Review of Literature and studies are presented in this section. They are
taken from the different references such as books, journals, and other
unpublished materials.
Related Literature
Age
Teens are abusing some over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as cough
and cold remedies, to get high. Many of these products are widely available
and can be purchased at supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores.
Many OTC drugs that are intended to treat headaches, sinus pressure, or
cold/flu symptoms contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM) and
are the ones that teens are using to get high.
When taken in high doses, DXM can produce a "high" feeling and can be
extremely dangerous in excessive amounts.
Up to one out of every five teenagers or 20 percent has abused
prescription or over-the-counter drugs, according to research conducted by
the organization Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The organization says
that one in 10 teens have abused these drugs within the past year, with
another (8/4/2009).
Children average six to eight colds a year (Simasek & Blandino, 2007).
There are more than 100 different viruses that cause this self- limiting illness,
is also known as acute upper respiratory infection (URI; Kelly, 2004). Viruses
that result in the common cold spread rapidly in children, who may occur
because children do not wash their hands as frequently as adults; they share
toys; and are more intimate with one another during casual interactions than
are adults (Kelly, 2004). The average cold can last 10 to 14 days with cough,
rhinorrhea (runny nose), and nasal congestion among the most bothersome
symptoms reported (Gunn, Taha, Liebelt, & Serwint, 2001). The risk of
overdose, incorrect dosing, and average drug events is increased in young
children due to the number of colds they acquire each year, their small body
size, and parents lack of clarity of the active ingredient in OTC medications,
Particularly those with multiple ingredients (Markel, 2007).
Gender
New research shows that long-term use of acetaminophen, sold under
the brand name Tylenol -harms kidneys. This research was conducted on
1,700 women, and spanned 11 years. Overall, it showed that 10% of the
women experienced a decline in their kidney function (7/27/2004).
Economic Status
Related Studies
Age
The current study tested the hypotheses that adolescents with greater
conduct problems are more likely to self-medicate, as evidenced by a greater
risk for drinking on days subsequent to high negative mood, and to show
negative mood-related drinking consequences. (Brown, 2004).
Seventy-six respondents (54%) were aged between 20 to 39 years. The
majority of he respondents (72 %) stayed within 30 minutes walking distance
of a health post medical store. 59% of these respondents had taken some
form of self-medication in the 6-month period preceding the study. The
common reasons given for self-medication were mild illness, previous
experience of treating a similar illness, and non-availability of health
personnel. 70% of respondents were prescribed allopathic drugs by a non-
allopathic doctor.
Gender
The compounder and health assistant were common sources of
medicines. Paracetamol and antimicrobials were the drugs most commonly
prescribed. A significantly higher proportion of young (<40 years) male
respondents had used self-medication than other groups. More male patients
used self medication compared to females, contrary to data from western
reports.
Economic Status
In economically deprived communities, most episodes of illnesses are
treated by self-medication. Due to the hilly terrain in Nepal, the poor
socioeconomic status, the high cost of modern medicines and non-availability
of doctors in rural areas, difficulties arise in accessing modern healthcare.
In India, another south Asian country with economic and cultural
similarities to Nepal, pharmacists and pharmacy attendants play an important
role in fostering self-medication among the public. Combination preparations
containing 'hidden' classes of drugs and food supplements or tonics of
doubtful value were commonly used in India.
Studies on self-medication patterns and the prevalence of non-doctor
prescribing in the Pokhara valley are lacking. Over the last two years in our
hospital, we have been seeing an increasing number of patients developing
resistance to the commonly used antibiotics.
Hence the present study was carried out in the first fortnight of August
2001 in Pokhara sub-metropolitan city and the surrounding villages, where a
high prevalence of self and non-doctor prescribing was observed in the
subject population.
Educational Attainment
The better socioeconomic status of men in Nepal, their better earning power,
and the higher educational level are probably among the reasons. However,
this is difficult to reconcile with the fact that economic reasons were
commonly cited for self-medication. The greater prevalence of self medication
among the younger generation can be due to the better educational level
(2002 Shankar).
Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presented the research design, population and sampling,
research procedure, research instrument to be used in gathering data and
statistical treatment of data.
Research Design
The researcher used the descriptive method where in copies of a written
questionnaire is the form of checklist is the main instrument they were given
to the respondents in order to gather pertinent data from them regarding their
reason for using over the counter medicines and the perceived effectiveness
and dangers of using it.
Population and Sampling Techniques
The researcher uses the purposive random sampling in which the
researcher asked first the respondents if they where using over the counter
medicines before giving questionnaire. Purposive sampling technique was
used to identify the total number of respondents. The respondents were
composed of 50- 60 selected residents in the Brgy. Sto Angel Norte Sta.
Cruz, Laguna.
Research Procedure
The researcher first identified the problem of the study. The researcher
gathered and reviewed the applicable theories and relevant literatures and
studies from books, thesis, journal, and electronic publications which are
related to this study. The data and information were analyzed and
summarized. The researcher\’s next step is the formulation of the
questionnaire. Then the researcher went ask to the Brgy Captain of the Brgy
Sto. Angel Norte which was the site of the study. The questionnaires were
handed out personally and the respondents were requested to answer the
questions on the spot. Questionnaires were collected as soon as possible.
Other records and documents were requested from the office of Brgy
Sto. Angel Norte, Sta. Cruz, Laguna and Brgy Health Center.
Research Instruments
Instrument used in the study are the questionnaire given by the researcher
to the respondents. Questionnaire is the most common type of research
instrument. A letter requesting permission to conduct the study was submitted
to the office of the Dean of the College of Nursing of the Laguna State
Polytechnic University Sta. Cruz, Main Campus for the approval and a letter
request was given to the Brgy Captain of Brgy Sto. Angel Norte asks
permission for conducting the study. The questionnaires were distributed to
the selected residents of the Brgy which is involved in the study. The
researcher personally retrieved the questionnaires from the respondents.
Statistical Treatment
To determine the reason of the respondents in using over the counter
medicines in the Brgy. Sto Angel Norte Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Percentage of
frequency was computed.
Percentage= frequency Total no. of respondents
To determine the effects of self medication in the health status of the
respondents.
Total weighted mean was computed:
TWM= TWS TF
Where:
TWM – total weighted mean
TWS – total weighted score
TF – total frequency
Scale Equivalent to the weighted points
2.24 -3.0 = fast
1.67 -2.33 =moderate
1.00 -1.66 =slow
To determine the dangers in self medications percentage of frequency was
also computed.
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Sta. Cruz, Campus
Sta. Cruz, Laguna
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Survey Questionnaire on the effects of self medications in the health status of the in the residents of Brgy Sto. Angel Norte Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Magandang Araw po sa inyo!
Ako po ay isang mag- aaral ng Laguna State Polytechnic University ng
Sta. Cruz, Laguna sa larangan ng Nursing. Ito po ay naglalayon upang
malaman ang inyong dahilan at kaalaman sa paggamit o paginom ng mga
gamot sa inyong sariling desisyon. Ito po ay hindi isang pagsusulit kundi
isang pang-akademikong pangangailngan.
Maraming Salamat po!!
Pangalan(optional):________________________________
Tirahan:_________________________________________
Panuto: Lagyan ng check ( ) ang inyong sagot sa bawat katanungan.
I. Demograpiya ng mga Respondents
Personal na Datus
Edad
( ) 18-21 taong gulang
( ) 22-31taong gulang
( ) 32 taong gulang o higit pa
Kasarian
( ) Babae
( ) Lalaki
Antas ng pagaaral
Elementarya ( ) Nakapagtapos ( ) Di Nakapagtapos
Sekondarya ( ) Nakapagtapos ( ) Di Nakapagtapos
Kolehiyo ( ) Nakapagtapos ( ) Di Nakapagtapos
Hindi Nakapagaral ( )
Nagtatrabaho
( ) Oo
( ) Hindi
Panuto: Sagutan ang mga palatanungan sa abot ng inyong pagkakaunawa o
makakaya. Lagyan ng check ( ) ang inyong sagot sa bawat katanungan.
5- Lubos na Sumasang Ayon
4- Sumasang Ayon
3- Hindi Tiyak o sigurado
2- Hindi Sumasang ayon
1- Lubos na Hindi Sumasang Ayon
A. MGA NAIDUDULOT NG PAGGAMIT NG GAMOT
SA SARILING DESISYON
5 4 3 2 1
1. Nakapagdudulot ng magandang epekto
sa kondisyon.
2. Hindi magandang dulot sa kondisyon/
pangit na epekto sa pakiramdam.
3. Walang naitutulong sa kondisyon.
4. Naiiwasan ang paglala ng hindi
magandang kondisyon.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong pakikiisa at naway patnubayan kayo ng Poong Maykapal…
Prepared by:
Nergelyn Cardoza Gauna