STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The main aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of the use of antibiotics
for self-medication among mothers of families under the municipality of Ditsaan Ramain,
Lanao del Sur and the relationship between factors causing self-medication with
antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practice. Specifically, it aims to answer the
following:
1. What are the socioeconomic factors that cause self-medication in terms of age,
educational attainment, type of employment, monthly family income?
Age
29 and below
30-39
40-49
50-59
60 and above
Total

Frequency
106
111
81
56
6
360

Percent
29.4
30.8
22.5
15.6
1.7
100.0

Highest Educational Attainment

1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
Total

Frequency
45
92
105
95
23
360

Percent
12.5
25.6
29.2
26.4
6.4
100.0

Employment status
Unemployed
employed
Total

Frequency
258
102
360

Percent
71.7
28.3
100.0

Government
None
Permanent/Regular
Contractual/Job Order
Total

Frequency
258
63
39
360

Percent
71.7
17.5
10.8
100.0

Private
None
Permanent/Regular
Contractual/Job Order
Seasonal/Casual
Total

Frequency
258
22
27
53
360

Percent
71.7
6.1
7.5
14.7
100.0

Monthly Family Income

5,000 and below
5001-10,000
above 10,000
Total

Frequency
214
112
34
360

Percent
59.4
31.1
9.4
100.0

2. What is the accessibility of respondents to health care facilities such as hospital, rural
health unit and other health facilities?
Drug dispensing policies and Access to Antibiotic drugs;

Distance form home to hospital

near
far
moderately far
very far
Total

Frequency
108
104
71
77
360

Percent
30.0
28.9
19.7
21.4
100.0

Distance from home to nearest RHU

near
far
moderately far
very far
Total

Frequency
64
70
55
171
360

Percent
17.8
19.4
15.3
47.5
100.0

Do you have an access to health services like physical

examination in times of ailment and of your family
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
76
93
128
45
18
360

Percent
21.1
25.8
35.6
12.5
5.0
100.0

Doctor
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
334
3
3
8
12
360

Percent
92.8
.8
.8
2.2
3.3
100.0

Nurse
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
244
6
15
12
83
360

Percent
67.8
1.7
4.2
3.3
23.1
100.0

Midwife
None
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
142
12
108
98
360

Percent
39.4
3.3
30.0
27.2
100.0

Are you given recommendations on what

antibiotic to be used
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
9
15
24
117
195
360

Percent
2.5
4.2
6.7
32.5
54.2
100.0

Are you informed of the purpose of the antibiotic

None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
21
15
24
54
246
360

Percent
5.8
4.2
6.7
15.0
68.3
100.0

Are you informed how often you use the antibiotics

None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
21
15
30
42
252
360

Percent
5.8
4.2
8.3
11.7
70.0
100.0

Are you informed of the exact amounts of

antibiotic you take per intake of this drug
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
24
21
24
63
228
360

Percent
6.7
5.8
6.7
17.5
63.3
100.0

Are you given health teaching on specific

instructions regarding antibiotic use
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
21
21
36
139
143
360

Percent
5.8
5.8
10.0
38.6
39.7
100.0

Can you purchase antibiotic drug to the

pharmacy without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
21
9
42
33
255
360

Percent
5.8
2.5
11.7
9.2
70.8
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from a nurse in

a community or hospital without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
30
24
238
35
33
360

Percent
8.3
6.7
66.1
9.7
9.2
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from a Barangay

health Worker in community without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
201
36
42
39
42
360

Percent
55.8
10.0
11.7
10.8
11.7
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from sari-sari

stores in community w ithout prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
42
30
213
33
42
360

Percent
11.7
8.3
59.2
9.2
11.7
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from your

husband without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
229
40
46
12
33
360

Percent
63.6
11.1
12.8
3.3
9.2
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from elder

members of the family without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
205
58
58
18
21
360

Percent
56.9
16.1
16.1
5.0
5.8
100.0

Can you obtain antibiotic drug from a professional

member of the family without prescription
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
218
61
42
12
27
360

Percent
60.6
16.9
11.7
3.3
7.5
100.0

Awareness on the effects of antibiotic drug use without prescriptions

Frequency
Percent

There are different specific antibiotics needed to treat specific diseases

None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
18
12
111
174
45
360
5.0
3.3
30.8
48.3
12.5
100.0

Frequency
Percent

None
12
3.3

Antibiotics are effective against bacteria

Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
28
134
144
42
7.8
37.2
40.0
11.7

Total
360
100.0

Frequency
Percent

None
27
7.5

Antibiotics are effective against viruses

Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
128
80
95
30
35.6
22.2
26.4
8.3

Total
360
100.0

Frequency
Percent

Antibiotics works on and speed up the recovery from most cough and colds
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
27
65
120
106
42
360
7.5
18.1
33.3
29.4
11.7
100.0

Frequency
Percent

Discontinue taking antibiotics when you get side effects as soon as possible
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
64
57
87
119
33
360
17.8
15.8
24.2
33.1
9.2
100.0

If I experience skin reaction from taking a specific antibiotic, I should not take it
again
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
Frequency
82
32
80
121
45
360
Percent
22.8
8.9
22.2
33.6
12.5
100.0

Frequency
Percent

The unnecessary and inappropriate use of antibiotics can increase the

resistance of bacteria to them
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
128
49
107
43
33
360
35.6
13.6
29.7
11.9
9.2
100.0

Frequency
Percent

None
41
11.4

Switching antibiotic drugs enhances drug effects

Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
90
117
85
27
25.0
32.5
23.6
7.5

Total
360
100.0

None
21
5.8

Higher doses result in faster recovery

Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
46
155
108
30
12.8
43.1
30.0
8.3

Total
360
100.0

Frequency
Percent

None
21
5.8

Lower doses result in less adverse effects

Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
36
106
176
21
10.0
29.4
48.9
5.8

Total
360
100.0

Frequency
Percent

Taking antibiotic on a weekly basis might help in avoiding illness.

None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
19
134
107
76
24
360
5.3
37.2
29.7
21.1
6.7
100.0

Frequency
Percent

Frequency
Percent

Frequent use of antibiotic may pose risk in developing organ problem such as
kidney and liver problem.
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
12
15
175
137
21
360
3.3
4.2
48.6
38.1
5.8
100.0

Frequency
Percent

Antibiotic use needs 5 10 days of treatment course to enhance its effects.

None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
3
36
128
166
27
360
.8
10.0
35.6
46.1
7.5
100.0

Frequency
Percent

If I feel better after taking antibiotic drugs, I will stop taking the antibiotic
regardless of the duration of antibiotic use.
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total
18
15
104
190
33
360
5.0
4.2
28.9
52.8
9.2
100.0

3. What is the extent of self-medication among mothers of the families in terms of

frequency of use and type and number of antibiotic drug used?
In the pre vious 12 m onths until this da y, how
fre que nt did you se lf-m e dica te w ith a ntibiotic
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequenc y
27
3
130
137
63
360

Perc ent
7.5
.8
36.1
38.1
17.5
100.0

Do you have the te nde ncy to double dose

a ntibiotic drug in time s of sickne ss
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
15
82
140
105
18
360

Percent
4.2
22.8
38.9
29.2
5.0
100.0

Do you ha ve the te nde ncy to use

a ntibiotic w he n ex perie ncing sore throat
None
Seldom
Sometimes
Often
Very often
Total

Frequency
37
113
149
52
9
360

Percent
10.3
31.4
41.4
14.4
2.5
100.0

4. Is there a significant relationship between the factors that causes self-medication of

antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using antibiotic drug/medications
without prescription?
Relationship
(Profile vs Extent of self-medication)
Age

711
2
= 35.

Highest Educational
Attainment
Employment status
Government
Private
Monthly Family
Income

Correlation
coefficient
2= 48.

Extent of
self-medication
practices

913
2
= 15.4
71
2
= 15.6
70
2
= 24.0
93
2
= 31.4
83

p-value

Remarks

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.003

Significant

0.001

Significant

0.000

Significant

There was a significant relationship between the factors (age) that causes self-medication
of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using antibiotic
2
drug/medications without prescription, = 48.711, p < 0.05
There was a significant relationship between the factors (HEA) that causes selfmedication of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using antibiotic
2
drug/medications without prescription, = 35.913, p < 0.05
There was a significant relationship between the factors (employment status) that causes
self-medication of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using antibiotic
2
drug/medications without prescription, = 15.473, p < 0.05
There was a significant relationship between the factors (working in government) that
causes self-medication of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using
2
antibiotic drug/medications without prescription, = 15.670, p < 0.05
There was a significant relationship between the factors (working in private) that causes
self-medication of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using antibiotic
2
drug/medications without prescription, = 24.093, p < 0.05

There was a significant relationship between the factors (family monthly income) that
causes self-medication of antibiotics and the extent of self-medication practices using
2
antibiotic drug/medications without prescription, = 31.483, p < 0.05

Relationship
(Health care facilities and services)
Distance from home to
hospital
Distance from home to
nearest RHU
Have an access to
health services like
physical examination in
times of ailment and of
your family

Extent of
self-medication
practices

Given recommendations
on what antibiotic to be
used
Informed of the purpose
of the antibiotic

Informed of the exact

amounts of antibiotic you
take per intake of this
drug
Given health teaching on
specific instructions
regarding antibiotic use

328
2
= 39.
620
2= 63.1
05

Relationship
(Health care facilities and services)

Informed how often you

use the antibiotics

Correlation
coefficient
2= 80.

Correlation
coefficient
2
= 69.
454
2
= 61.

Extent of
self-medication
practices

335
2
= 64.5
89

p-value

Remarks

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

p-value

Remarks

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

= 77.
251
2= 48.
943

Relationship
(Sources of Antibiotic Drugs)
Purchase antibiotic drug to
the pharmacy without
prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
a nurse in a community or
hospital without
prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
a Barangay health Worker in
community without
prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
sari-sari stores in
community without
prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
your husband without
prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
elder members of the family
without prescription
Obtain antibiotic drug from
a professional member of
the family without
prescription

Correlation
coefficient
2= 26.0
69

p-value

Remarks

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

= 30.6
39
2= 59.2
82
Extent of
self-medication
practices

2= 110.
073
2= 115.
102
2
= 124.
964
2= 116.
412

Relationship
(Awareness of Antibiotic use)
There are different specific
antibiotics needed to treat
specific diseases
Antibiotics are effective against
bacteria

Correlation
coefficient

2= 40.52

p-value

Remarks

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

0.000

Significant

2= 68.28
2

Antibiotics are effective against

viruses

2= 43.25

Antibiotics works on and speed

up the recovery from most
cough and colds
Discontinue taking antibiotics
when got side effects as soon as
possible
Experienced skin reaction from
taking a specific antibiotic, I
should not take it again
The unnecessary and
inappropriate use of antibiotics
can increase the resistance of
bacteria to them
Switching antibiotic drugs
enhances drug effects

= 44.22

9
2

2= 50.67
2

2= 45.14
2

2= 58.93
Extent of
self-medication
practices

2= 38.46
1

Higher doses result in faster

recovery

2= 51.48
9

Lower doses result in less

adverse effects

2= 96.32

Taking antibiotic on a weekly

basis might help in avoiding
illness.
Frequent use of antibiotic may
pose risk in developing organ
problem such as kidney and liver
problem.
Antibiotic use needs 510 days
of treatment course to enhance
its effects.
If I feel better after taking
antibiotic drugs, I will stop
taking the antibiotic regardless
of the duration of antibiotic use.

= 123.1

0
2

01
2

= 34.56
0
2

= 71.56
5
2

= 32.20
3

5. What are the possible problems that can be encountered in self-medication of

antibiotics?