The Factors Influencing the Self Medication Practices among the Nursing
Students of Capitol University
BLOCK F
Presented to:
The Faculty of College of Health Sciences Capitol University, Cagayan De Oro City
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Sphinx Legolas Nianga
Princess Jade M. Baquita
Angel Faith L. Denoy
Irish Mireland B. Ilisan
Bernadette G. Trajano
Background and Rationale
The study aims to investigate the various factors that prompt nursing
students, who have chosen careers in the healthcare field, to discover things that
influence them to do self-medication practices. Self-medication has traditionally been
defined as “the taking of drugs, herbs or home remedies on one's own initiative, or on
the advice of another person, without consulting a doctor.” (Bennadi, 2013). It is
commonly caused by the cost of medical healthcare, or a coping mechanism to mental
health conditions that pushes them self-medicate and avoiding to seek for a help of
professionals. Around the 1960's in the West-self-care and self-medication were
regarded as unnecessary and potentially even unhealthy practices.
In 2021, PhilCare Wellness Index revealed that 92.6% of its respondents
practice self-medication. The Philippines implemented significant changes with the
approval of the Universal Health Care Law in 2019 in which this legislation ensures
that every Filipino has the opportunity to avail a comprehensive range of high-quality
and affordable health services, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative,
rehabilitative, and palliative care. The law particularly emphasizes addressing the
healthcare needs of the population unable to bear the financial burden of such services
(Amit et al., 2022). A program from PhilHealth called Konsultasyong Sulit Tama
(Konsulta) as required by the Universal Health Care Law was implemented where It
guarantees that every Filipino has fair access to high-quality and reasonably priced
healthcare products and services, safeguarding them from financial risks. Such efforts
were provided to enable individuals to take charge of their health choices and
alleviating undue pressure on the healthcare system, this approach involves promoting
health, preventing and controlling diseases, self-administration of medication, caring
for dependent individuals, seeking formal healthcare when needed, and participating
in rehabilitation. Its widespread acceptance in diverse forms allows it to be utilized
effectively in expediting the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Self-medication continues to be one of the high priority concerns globally
having a global prevalence of self-medicating from 11.2% to 93.7% (Chautrakarn et
al., 2021). Nursing students have received comprehensive education regarding the
negative consequences and potential risks associated with self-medication. However,
it is imperative to delve deeper into this phenomenon through additional research.
Despite the wealth of knowledge imparted to student nurses, there remains a
noteworthy occurrence of individuals within this group choosing to engage in selfmedication practices. Unraveling the underlying factors contributing to this
discrepancy can provide valuable insights, facilitating the development of targeted
interventions and educational strategies to address and mitigate the persistence of
self-medication among nursing students.
Objective Statement
This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the nursing
students to provide self-medication practices. The study seeks the factors that may
come from intensions, motives, and past-related problem that affects this behavior. By
examining these factors, the research aims to contribute valuable insights to the
healthcare and educational sectors, potentially informing interventions and support
mechanisms for nursing students.
Significance of the Study
The findings of this studies will enlighten a nursing student’s knowledge
including the self-medication practices, the factors that may influence them to practice
a self-medication. This research will serve as source of data of the health provider
that are new to their professions and may also seek for a self-medication practice.
The following areas in nursing can be a beneficial to this study;
A. Nursing Education
o This study will collect and generate information that can help them with
their behavior in such as self-control, decision-making, observation,
judgement and critical thinking when practicing a nursing responsibility
to their environment specially their patients.
B. Nursing Research
o Future researches of the similar topic can benefit from the research,
aside from the citations, they can also discover knowledgeable
perspective from the researchers. It may also help then generate skills
knowledge that exceeds their expertise or skills.
C. Community/ Public Health Nurses
o This research will generate information that can be a big help to public
nurses. Their behavior and judgement can be improved. It can also
contribute to their duties as a nurse or when they socialize with the
patients that practicing a self-medication in their home.
Hypothesis
This research is expected to gather information that answer on what can be the
factors influencing the self-medication practices. The researchers will widen their
knowledge and expertise when it comes to their duties specially on nursing students.
This will serve as a mind-opener to the respondents.
Scope and Delimitation
This study will explore information from the lived experience of the nursing
students from Capitol University who have decided who have decided to take practice
to self-medicate. This will gather information about their insights on a specific behavior
such as this. Their judgement, struggles and threats will be excluded. The data of this
study will be gathered during the school year 2023-2024, where the self-medication
practices are alive and still a common phenomenon.
References
Amit, A. M. L., Pepito, V. C. F., & Dayrit, M. M. (2022, September 5). Advancing Universal
Health Coverage in the Philippines through self-care interventions. The Lancet
regional health. Western Pacific.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9465409/#bib0002
Bennadi, D. (2013) Self-medication a current challenge
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012703/
Chautrakarn, S., Khumros, W., & Phutrakool, P. (2021, August 2). Self-medication with overthe-counter medicines among the working age population in metropolitan areas of
Thailand. Frontiers.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.726643/full#:~:text=According
%20to%20studies%2C%20the%20global%20prevalence%20of%20selfmedication,Lei%20et%20al.%2C%202018%3B%20Tesfamariam%20et%20al.%2C%2
02019%29.
Fathelrahman, A. I., Ibrahim, M. I. M., & Wertheimer, A. I. (Eds.). (2016). Pharmacy
Practice in Developing Countries. ScienceDirect.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128017142/pharmacy-practice-indeveloping-countries
Kadali, S. (2020, November). A questionnaire-based study on self-medication among ND 2
year medical ... ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346647656_A_QUESTIONNAIREBASED_STUDY_ON_SELFMEDICATION_AMONG_nd_2_YEAR_MEDICAL_STUDENTS_AT_A_TEACHIN
G_HOSPITAL_JAIPUR
Report, S. (2022, January 30). Most Filipinos self-medicate, use health info over the internet.
The Filipino Times. https://filipinotimes.net/latest-news/2022/01/30/most-filipinos-selfmedicate-use-health-info-over-the-internet/
Sex
☐Male ☐ Female
Self-medication Practice
Do you know the meaning of the term OTC?
☐Yes ☐No
Have you ever practiced self-medication?
☐Yes ☐No
Awareness About Dose and Frequency of Medicines
Do you consult with a medical practitioner for minor ailments?
☐Always ☐Sometimes ☐Rarely
Are you aware of the proper dosage and frequency of the drug you’ve taken?
☐ Yes ☐No
Reasons for Not Practicing Self-medication
☐ Risk of adverse effects
☐ Risk of using wrong drugs
☐ Risk of misdiagnosing
☐ Lack of knowledge about medicines
☐ Risk of using drugs wrongly
☐ Risk of drug dependence
☐Others:________________________________
Source of Drug Information for Self-medication
☐ Textbook
☐ Previous prescription
☐ Classroom teaching
☐ Advertisement
☐Others:_________________________________
Reasons for Practicing Self-medication by the Students
☐ No need to visit the doctor for minor illness
☐ Time saving
☐ Quick relief
☐ Ease and convenience
☐ Confidence on your knowledge about medicines
☐ Economical
☐ Learning opportunity
☐ Crowd avoidance
☐Others: _________________________________
Common Illnesses for Which Self-medication Is Practiced
☐Headache
☐Cough, cold, and sore throat
☐Fever
☐Stomach ache
☐Diarrhea
☐Vomiting
☐Menstrual Symptoms
☐Ocular Symptoms
Most Commonly Used Drugs for Self-medication
☐ Analgesics
☐ Cough Syrups
☐ Antipyretics
☐ Antacids
☐ Multivitamins
☐ Antiemetics
☐ Lozenges
☐ Antimicrobials
☐ Decongestants
☐ Antispasmodics
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346647656_A_QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED_STUDY_ON_SELFMEDICATION_AMONG_nd_2_YEAR_MEDICAL_STUDENTS_AT_A_TEACHING_HOSPITAL_
TEACHING_HOSPITAL_JAIPU