ASSESMENT OF PEOPLE’S KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ABOUT SELF

MEDICATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS AT BANANA IN ILALA- DAR ES SALAM

JIMMY C MARK

DPH/19781/701/DT

THIS PROPOSAL IS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE IN DIPLOMA

KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

JULY 2020
SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATION

The undersigned certifies that he has read the document and hereby recommends the research project
for acceptance by the Kampala International University in Tanzania, Dar es salaam research project
entitled awareness of people knowledge and practices about self medication and implications
at Banana in Ilala Dar es salaam , in partial fulfillment for the diploma of pharmacy of Kampala
International University in Tanzania.

Name of the supervisor: Eliwazaeli Harry James

Signature: …………………………….

Date: …………………………..
DECLARATION

I, Jimmy C Mark, declare that this research proposal is my own original work and that it has not
been presented and will be presented to any other University for similar or any other diploma award.

Name of Student/ Researcher …………………………………..

Registration Number: …………………………………………..

Program ………………………………………………………...

Year ……………………… Semester …………………………

Signature of Student/ Researcher ………………………...........

Date: …………………………………………………………...
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to submit my sincere and humble thanks to the almighty God for taking care of my life
and prosper me in my studies indeed at the time when I was conducting this research. I would also
like to thank my beloved parents, sisters and brothers for the care they gave to me so that I could
have a good life. I would also like to acknowledge and offer profound thanks to Kampala
International University in Tanzania especially the faculty of Computing management and Social
science for their assistance and support in improving my knowledge and understanding in my
studies. I would also like to thank my precious supervisor Mr. Harry for his advice, comments and
guidelines which at last made my research possible.
DEDICATION

I dedicate this to God, Kampala University, and Mr. Harry, my supervisor, my family and my fellow
friend
ABSTRACT
Background; Self medication is the selection and use of any medicine for the treatment of self
recognized illnesses or symptoms without the physicians prescription (WHO, 1998). This is a non-
formal health service and health related decision making which occur in the normal social context of
people’s everyday lives and has been part of the earliest history of mankind (Hughes, 2001).
Self-medication has been reported as being on the rise and has become a public health concern. In
developing countries, people are not only using non-prescription drugs but also prescription drugs, as
self-medication products without supervision. The World Health Organization has emphasized that
self-medication must be correctly taught and controlled by educating people (Patel P, 2013)
Objectives; The aim of the study was to assess people’s knowledge, altitude, and practice about self
medication and its implications to under five children at Banana in Ilala- Dar es salaam
Methodology; the cross sectional study was used to collect data among 115 participants.SPSS
version 20 was used for data entry, analysis and interpretation
Results study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice about self medication and
its implications among the caretakers of under five years old children. The results of the study show
that there is generally high prevalence of the practice of self medication among the caretakers of the
under five years old children towards the under five years old. Thus, the study revealed that
88(76.5%) of the respondents practiced self medication to the under five years old children and27
(23.5%) did not practice

There were varied reasons as to why the respondents used self medication. The majority of them
cited poverty thus, 45(39.1% ) as the main reason for self medication while others mentioned lack
of health services facilities; 24.3% (28) other reasons were long distance to the health
facilities18(15.7%),others said no medicines in the health facilities14(12.2%) and few of them said
they practice due to emergency illiness10(8.7%)

Conclusion and recommendation; There is high prevalence of self medication amongst the take of
under five years, this is mostly due to poverty where people fails to afford hospital charges therefore
the hospital charges should minimized so that every individual can be able to afford, poor
knowledge is the other reason where the Government and non Government Organization has to play
a role on making people aware of side effects which results from self medication like drug resistance
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUPERVISOR CERTIFICATION.........................................................................................................i
DECLARATION....................................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.....................................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................................iv
LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................................v
LIST OF FIGURES...............................................................................................................................vi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS...............................................................................................................vii
LIST OF ANNEXURE........................................................................................................................viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...............................................................................................................ix
DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL WORDS.............................................................................................x
ABSTRACT..........................................................................................................................................xi
CHAPTER ONE.....................................................................................................................................1
1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background.......................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Problem Statement............................................................................................................................2

1.3 Objectives.........................................................................................................................................2

1.3.0 Broad Objective.............................................................................................................................2

1.3.1 Specific Objectives........................................................................................................................2
1.4 Research questions............................................................................................................................2

1.5 Justification.......................................................................................................................................3

1.6 The Conceptual Framework of the Study.........................................................................................3

1.6 Scope.................................................................................................................................................5

CHAPTER TWO....................................................................................................................................7
LITERATURE REVIEW.......................................................................................................................7

xiii
CHAPTER THREE..............................................................................................................................10
MATERIAL AND METHODS............................................................................................................10
3.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................10

3.3Research Design...............................................................................................................................10

3.4 Sampling strategies.........................................................................................................................10

3.5 Sample size formulae......................................................................................................................11

3.6 Data collection methods and procedures........................................................................................11

3.7 Data analysis...................................................................................................................................11

3.8 ethical consideration.......................................................................................................................12

CHAPTER FOUR.................................................................................................................................13
FINDINGS, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.............................................................13
4.1 sample size, characteristics of respondents and computer program used.......................................13

CHAPTER FIVE..................................................................................................................................29
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION..........................................................29
5.0 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................29

5.1 Recommendations and conclusion..................................................................................................30

5.2 Conclusion......................................................................................................................................30

5.3 Recommendations...........................................................................................................................30

5.4 Future research................................................................................................................................30

REFERENCE........................................................................................................................................31
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

WHO-World Health Organization

ADR -Adverse drug reaction

ALU -Artemether-Lumefantrine

OTC -Over the counter

 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Self medication is the selection and use of any medicine for the treatment of self recognized illnesses
or symptoms without the physicians prescription (WHO, 1998). This is a non-formal health service
and health related decision making which occur in the normal social context of people’s everyday
lives and has been part of the earliest history of mankind (Hughes,2001).
Self medication is being practiced worldwide with high prevalence mostly in developing countries.
The reasons for practice vary from place to place (Novignon et al 2011). Though self medication has
been adopted and is being practiced worldwide, people are not restricting themselves to OTC drugs
Most devastatingly, people are also using prescription-only drugs in self medication practice such as
antibiotics or anti-malarial drugs, thereby predisposing themselves to the risk of developing resistance
(Arikpo & Eja, 2010).
self-medication has been reported as being on the rise and has become a public health concern. In
developing countries, people are not only using non-prescription drugs but also prescription drugs, as
self-medication products without supervision. The World Health Organization has emphasized that
self-medication must be correctly taught and controlled by educating people(Patel P,2013)
WHO (2008) emphasizes on the need to use OTC drugs responsibly as inappropriate use predisposes
one to deleterious implications. This is a challenge in most developing countries and Africa in
particular where illiteracy level is high, coupled by poor exposure to information, let alone medical
information, results into abuse of medicines. (Novignon et al 2011). Knowledge of self medication
and its implications is therefore necessary as it will guide and regulate people on how to use
medicines cautiously regardless of other factors which facilitate the practice of self medication such
as distance to the hospital, availability and easy access of medicines in pharmacies or other shops,
poverty, nature or emergency of their illness amongst several factors.
Self medication leads to increase in pathogens resistance, harmful effects like vomiting, fever,
headaches, and cough; as well as diarrhea; however self medication may have certain benefits such
as quick relief, and active role of the patient in his or her own health care and better use of
physicians and pharmacists skills. It can also lead to reduce the cost of treatment and to reduce
travelling and consultation time, but it remains a discouraged protection with more disadvantages.
Despite it is associated problems, the prevalence of self medication has not only been high, but as in
fact been increasing(Yusuf hared,2013),due to increasing self medication especially in under five
years children there must be campaign on controlling by providing education on the side effects
resulting from self medication like drug resistance
1.2 Problem Statement

Most of the people lack knowledge about self medications as the results once a child get sick instead
of attending health facility, self medications become the first choice unless condition get worsened.
due to the lack of knowledge once the child get recovery after self medications they then go on
practicing self medications, the altitude towards self medications becomes negative since on the child
get recovery the parents sees attending health facility is just like wasting a money. but generally self
medications can results to the drug resistance and harmful effects like skin rahes and skin itching.
1.3 Objectives

1.3.0 Broad Objective

To assess people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices about self medication and its implications in
under five years old in Mzenga-Pwani

1.3.1 Specific Objectives

1. To asses people’s knowledge about self medication and its implications on health and health
care seeking in Mzenga village, Pwani

2. To assess people’s altitude about self medication and it’s implications to under five years old

children living in Mzenga village

3. To assess people’s practice about self medication and it’s in Mzenga village.

1.4 Research questions

1. Do people of Mzenga village have knowledge about self medication and it’s implications?

2. Do people of Mzenga village practice self medication to the children under five years?
1.5 Justification

The study is important to conducted since most of the people especially in villages lack knowledge
about self medication and therefore they do practice without knowing the side effects which are drug
resistance and harmful effects like body swelling

According to other research conducted by others studies shows that many people especially in
developing countries like Tanzania lack knowledge about the side effects associated with self
medications thus they do practice for the sake of recovery without knowing other outcomes,

Also according to others research there is no investigation on how to eliminate this problem but most
of the people lack education about self medications therefore through education this problem can be
overcomed.

1.6 The Conceptual Framework of the Study

Self medication is the obtaining and consumption of a drug without the advice of physician either for
diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of the treatment or medication of oneself.

Self medication can lead to wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens and increased
side effects; and it generally entails serious health hazards such as risk of drug interactions, adverse
drug reactions, prolonged suffering and drug dependence. As a result, several states and nations have
moved to control the practice of self-medication. This has been done by making available of safe
drugs along with proper instructions about their use and if need be, a consulting a physician (WHO,
2010).

Most studies have shown lack of knowledge of self medication and its implications. (Balamurugani&
Ganesh, 2011). Thus, if people have knowledge on how susceptible they are to implications of self
medications, the severity of the implications, they will not indulge into self medication carelessly;
rather will ensure they seek hospital intervention for proper examination, diagnosis and treatment for
their illnesses.

The concept of self medication was based on social economic variables,the following will be my
research variables

1. Educational level.

2. Age
 3. Poverty

4. unavailability of healthcare services

1.6 Scope
Geographical location, this study was held on at Pwani region at kisarawe district. The intended
location was based on various categories that lead to the selection of mention location. Firstly was
financial implication, whereby it was difficult to hold on the study in all Tanzanian zones. For
instance if I could decide to conduct the study to all Tanzanian zones I could incur much time and
even time boundary could be adjusted based on the length of the study. With this regard I used
samples from kisarawe district that come and represent the rest Tanzanian zones because criteria’s
analyzed were looking to be similar to all Tanzania zones as wide.

Conceptual scope, with this study the main focus was to identify how do people perceives self
medication and their reaction on it. Researcher used various written documents that has been written
by different authors to avoid study duplication. These documents included passed researcher works,
written books, as well as journals, whereby all of these included as a part of literature review. The
investigation therefore came up with lots of experiences about self medication to Tanzanian as
kisarawe district takeover the representation of the whole part of Tanzania.

Time scope,the study took sometimes in collection of data regarding the specific topic within
kisarawe district. It was looking like having some compromises because people were not enough
educated about self medication. Most of the people used as samples were lacked education about the
respective study, thereby to ensure the efficiency of the study researcher spent sometimes to describe
to the respondents about the study itself so that respondents became clear on it, hence came up with
the clear answers and help the accomplishment of the study.

1.7 Hypothesis
Broad Hypothesis;

People living in Mzenga village Pwani region they lack knowledge about self medication and it’s

implications.

Specific Hypothesis

People living in Mzenga village Pwani region have no knowledge on self medication and it’s

implications.

People living in Mzenga village Pwani region do practice self medicationself medication.
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

The concept of self medication has been adopted and is being practiced worldwide. Thus, self
medication is being practiced worldwide and it is of public health concern considering the
implications associated with the practice. Globally, prevalence of self medication is quite high, but
varies from place to place as reasons or factors which facilitate the practice are diverse. For instance,
the prevalence of self medication in Greece is 77.9% (Skliros, et. al, 2010), 98% in Palestine
(Sawalha, 2008), 71% in India (Balamurugani& Ganesh, 2011) and 76% in Pakistan (Zafar, et. al
2012).
Though the practice of self medication is generally high globally, in developing countries and Africa
in particular, it is quite alarming and has reached a crisis. People are treating themselves with any
medicine or any substance they may think of without considering its toxic or harmful effects which
may arise. (Tillement&Delaveau, 2007).
People rarely consult physicians, instead, they resort to self medication using all sorts of drugs which
include antibiotics, pain killers, herbs and other chemicals as remedies; hence it was revealed in
Nigeria that 99.4% of the population was using self medication (ArikpondEja, 2010). The above
study supports Afolabi (2008) findings that revealed a prevalence of 95% in a study conducted
amongst marketing women in a sub-urban community in Lagos, Nigeria and that of Sudan which
revealed a prevalence of 73.9% (Abdelmoneim, Eltayeb, &Matowe, 2005). Malawi and Kenya have a
prevalence of 56% (Novignon et. al. 2011) and 53.5% (Misati, 2012) respectively.
There are recommended drugs called over the counter drugs which are supposed to be used in
primary health care. But surprisingly, people are not restricting themselves to over-the-counter drugs
(OTC) only, or if they are, they are using them inappropriately; but most devastatingly, they are also
using prescription-only drugs such as antibiotics in self medication. This predisposes people to the
risk of developing resistance (WHO, 2008). Thus, antibiotics and other types of medicines which are
supposed to be prescribed-onlydrugs are easily accessible to everyone as most pharmaceutical shops
are selling drugs without prescription. Coupled by people‟s lack of awareness, this means that there
is poor knowledge of self medication as a primary health care concept, its potential deleterious effect
and other implications; hence people are self medicating without any precautionary measures (Zafar
et al., 2008).

Though WHO acknowledges and recommends self medication in primary health care, there is need
for one to be cautious and responsible when self medicating; hence requires a certain level of
knowledge and health orientation regarding self medication. Studies have reported that OTC drugs
have been even associated with adverse health reactions and fatalities (Sawalha, 2007).
Despite its effectiveness in primary health care if appropriately utilized, self medication has
resulted into inappropriate drug use such as misdiagnosis on the illness, taking either high or low
doses, lesser or longer period of taking the medicines not as recommended (Ali, Ibrahim,
&Palaian, 2010). These practices have resulted into irrational drug use resulting into increased
side effects, drug interactions, and delayed in seeking health facility care or advice; hence
complicating the patient‟s condition (Novignon et. al. 2011)

Apart from the above implications, the consequence of incorrect diagnosis and incorrect dosage
as a result of self medication is the growing resistance to drugs. (Grigoryan et al., 2006). Thus,
antimicrobial resistance is currently a problem worldwide, more especially in developing
countries where people are accessing antibiotics without a prescription (Verma, Mohan, &
Pandey, 2010)

Though the problem of the antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem, it is more common in
developing countries where there is easy access of medicines without a prescription (Abasiubong
et. al. 2012). The practice also includes antimalarial drugs which are also being abused and this
has resulted into resistance to the malaria parasite due to its inappropriate use (Abdelmoneim et
al., 2005)

Self medication in Tanzania is partly attributed to escalation of pharmacies as most of the

pharmacies sell medicines without prescription, enabling patients to access drugs without
difficulties, hence promoting self medication (Kagashe et al. 2010). It is of great concern when
people use medications without prescription from the legitimate prescriber as they may take
inappropriate drugs for their conditions, in inappropriate doses, frequency or duration which may
result into development of harmful effects, resistance and even delay them in seeking for hospital
intervention, thereby complicating their conditions. For instance, some patients in the eye clinic
developed blindness as a result of self medication for eye infections (Kagashe&Msela, 2012).

The implications of self medication still remains a challenge as most of the implications are quite
devastating. Nevertheless, despite all the implications associated with self medication, its
prevalence is so high (Gutema et al., 2011). For instance, the use of over the counter drugs for
treatment in children is also being highly practiced despite lack of evidence of efficacy of the
medicines used and the potential for its implications (Abasiubong et. al. 2012). Thus, people are
not aware that self medication makes up a high percentage of poisoning admissions in under five
years children than any other chemicals available in homes (Allotey, Reidpath, & Elisha, 2013).

There are of course several factors which are associated with self medication which include socio-
cultural, poverty, lack of knowledge on the implications of self medications,
 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIAL AND METHODS

3.1 Introduction
This section gives information about research design, area of the study, study population, sampe
size, sample selection, method of data collection, data analysis, procedure and problem
encountered during the study.

3.3Research Design
It was a cross sectional descriptive study that was conducted among care taker of children under
five years old to asess people’s knowledge, altitude and practices about self medication and it’s
implications at Mzenga village in Kisarawe district located costal region Tanzania, the
interviewer approached the executive office where signing took place and directed to the village,
then informed consent was obtained through written and verbal was obtained, the Primary data in
this study was collected using research self administered questionnaire, where by participant
circled only one option in every question asked, then thanks giving and departing. Data obtained
was analyzed in a computer.
Research tool/ instruments
1. Swahili translated questionnaires for data collection during an
interview Computers for data entry, analysis and report writing. Pen
and Pencils for questionnaire numbering and ticking during an
interview.

2. To approach interviewer with informed consent, to sign it if he/she agree

3. After agreement to register him/her and give identification number
in the Register
4. To conduct interview for data analysis and report writing
5. To approach other interviewer for interview, thanks giving for participation during the study
6. Collection of questionnaire forms and departure ready for report writing

3.4 Sampling strategies

Care taker of the children under five years old in the village was a population of this study, names
were registered and given study identity number. And people were directed to interviewers for the
consent process. Informed consent was administered in local language and those who provide
consent were interviewed. The people were informed that this study is for academic purposes
only. The people were given the opportunity to read the consent in its entirety before consenting.
The person was given the opportunity to read the consent in its entirety before consenting. The
consent form was written in local language. And the person was given the opportunity to ask
questions. Once all questions answered and the patient feels satisfied to sign, she/he was asked to
sign the form or, if illiterate, to make a mark or thumbprint in front of an independent, literate
witness. The interviewers provided their signature on the consent forms. All participating people
were asked to provide written informed consent prior to being interviewed. Client’s active
participation was considered as the level of comprehension.

3.5 Sample size formulae

The following notations were used in the formulae below to determine the sample size.
Z² = 95% of confidence level and equals 1.96.
P = expected prevalence of self-medication in Pwani region.
d² = is the level of precision or sampling error and equals 5% (0.05)
So the sample size:

Sample size (N)= Z 2 ×Ƥ × (1-Ƥ)

d₂

But the researcher was unable to get the prevalence of self-medication inPwani region, so the
researcher used the sample size of 115 participants. Sample size = 115 participants

3.6 Data collection methods and procedures

Data were collected with regards to the object" assessment of people's knowledge, altitude and
practice about self medication in Mzenga,data were collected through self administered
questionnaire where once every question is clearly defined and goals properly set and data was
analysed and interpreted

3.7 Data analysis

The data was analysed in a computer through software known as SPSS version 20.
3.8 ethical consideration

Prior to begin this research work the ethical clearance was be obtained from Kampala
International University in Tanzania, school of health science, department of public health; The
member of research ethics committee and supervisor of research. Informed consent was signed by
every participant involved in a study as it was going on, no any disciplinary action was
considered as it was willingly exercise.
Although I was assure to them that all the questionnaires was burned after entering the data in a
computer to preserve confidentiality. Meanwhile the data were entered in a password locked
laptop so that it is only researcher, who knows the privacy of a data.

3.8 ethical consideration

Prior to begin this research work the ethical clearance was be obtained from Kampala
International University in Tanzania, school of health science, department of public health; The
member of research ethics committee and supervisor of research. Informed consent was signed by
every participant involved in a study as it was going on, no any disciplinary action was
considered as it was willingly exercise.

Although I was assure to them that all the questionnaires was burned after entering the data in a
computer to preserve confidentiality. Meanwhile the data were entered in a password locked
laptop so that it is only researcher, who knows the privacy of a data.

Variables Response Number percentage

Knowledge about self Knowledge about 8 7.0

Medication side effects of the
Drugs

Aware about self

Medication
15 13.0
Definition

Knowledge about
illness and its 7 6.1
Treatment

No awareness
 about self
Medication 23 20.0
Definition

No knowledge
about illness and
it's treatment
42 36.5
No knowledge
about side effects
of the drugs

20 17.4

Knowledge about self medication

According to the collected data few people have knowledge about the side effects of the drugs
thus
they refused on the practice of self medication, while 15(13.0%) are aware about self medication
among of them self medicated painkillers like panadol while others have ever self medicated their
children, and 7(6.1%)have knowledge about illness and it's treatments hence they only practiced
for
drugs with less side effects,23(20.0%) are not aware about self medication definition hence they
only
practice while most people of the people in Mzenga have no knowledge about illness and it's
treatments 42(36.5%) hence the do self medication by the influence of the friends, neighbor and
relatives also 20(17.4) have no knowledge about side effects of the drugs hence they take for the
sake
of recovery without knowing the side effects of the drugs.

Self medication can be practiced to al drugs?

According to the collected data 53(46.1%) agreed that self medication can be practiced to all
drugs
since most of the drugs self medicated were helpful but 62(53.9%) disagreed since drugs
like
antibiotics with broad spectrum have much side effects therefore they are to be prescribed.
Figure 1.1 Bar chart showing the age of the participants

Age of the participants

Out of the 115 respondents who practiced self medication most of the participants were 18 in age
where 48(41.7%) in this category of the participants not yet enough matured and the level of
education is low thus make them practicing self medications to their children without knowing the
side effects of the drugs.
Figure 2.1 Bar chart showing the knowledge about self medication

According to the collected data few people have knowledge about the side effects of the drugs
thus they refused on the practice of self medication,while 15(13.0%) are aware about self
medication among of them self medicated painkillers like panadol while others have ever self
medicated their children,and 7(6.1%)have knowledge about illness and it's treatments hence they
anly practiced for drugs with less side effects,23(20.0%) are not aware about self medication
definition hence they only practice while most people of the people in Mzenga have no
knowledge about illness and it's treatments 42(36.5%) hence the do self medication by the
influence of the friends, neighbor and relatives also 20(17.4) have no knowledge about side
effects of the drugs hence they take for the sake of recovery without knowing the side effects of
the drugs.
Figure 4.2 Pie chart showing practice towards self medication

Self medication can be practiced to al drugs?

According to the collected data 53(46.1%) agreed that self medication can be practiced to all drugs
since most of the drugs self medicated were helpful but 62(53.9%) disagreed since drugs like
antibiotics with broad spectrum have much side effects therefore they are to be prescribed.
 Age of the participants*practice towards self medication Crosstabulation

Practice toward self Total

medication
Negative positive
Practice practice
Count 1 2 3
15.00 % within age of the
33.3% 66.7% 100.0%
Participants
Count 8 6 14
17.00 % within age of the
57.1% 42.9% 100.0%
Participants
Count 28 20 48
18.00 % within age of the
58.3% 41.7% 100.0%
Participants
Count 8 4 12
20.00 % within age of the
66.7% 33.3% 100.0%
age of the Participants
participants Count 12 7 19
23.00 % within age of the
63.2% 36.8% 100.0%
Participants
Count 2 5 7
25.00 % within age of the
28.6% 71.4% 100.0%
Participants
Count 6 1 7
30.00 % within age of the
85.7% 14.3% 100.0%
Participants
Count 3 2 5
35.00 % within age of the
60.0% 40.0% 100.0%
Participants
Count 68 47 115
Total % within age of the
59.1% 40.9% 100.0%
Participants

Out of the 115 respondents who practiced self medication most of the participants were 18 in age
where 48(41.7%) in this category of the participants not yet enough matured and the level of
education is low thus make them practicing self medications to their children without knowing the
side effects of the drugs.
 Table 4 relationship between education of the participants and knowledge about self
medication

knowledge about self medication

Knowledge aware knowledge no aware about no knowledge ab
about side about self about self medication and it's treat
effects of the medicati illness and definition
Drugs on it's
definition treatments
Count 5 1 1 0 6
% within
not
educatio
atende
n of 20.8% 4.2% 4.2% 0.0% 25.0%
d
partipant
s
Count 1 9 6 25
% within
primar educatio
y n of 1.6% 14.8% 9.8% 32.8% 41.0%
educati partipant
on of s
particip Count 0 1 0 0 11
Ants % within
secon educatio
dary n of 0.0% 4.8% 0.0% 0.0% 52.4%
partipant
s
Count 2 4 0 0
% within
tertiar educatio
y n of 22.2% 44.4% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0%
partipant
s
Count 8 15 7 23 42
Total % within education
7.0% 13.0% 6.1% 20.0% 36.5%
of partipants

Out of the 115 respondents who practiced self medication most of the participants were 18 in age
where 48(41.7%) in this category of the participants not yet enough matured and the level of
education is low thus make them practicing self medications to their children without knowing the
side effects of the drugs.
 CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Discussion
The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice about self medication and its
implications among the caretakers of under five years old children. The results of the study show that
there is generally high prevalence of the practice of self medication among the caretakers of the under
five years old children towards the under five years old. Thus, the study revealed that 88(76.5% )of
the respondents practiced self medication to the under five years old children and27( 23.5%) did not
practice, also most of the people in Mzenga 42(36.5%) lack knowledge about self medications hence
they practice due to the influence from the neighbors and relatives, then majority 62(53.9) agreed that
self medications can be practised to all drugs and few of them 53(46.1)disgreed, most of them
68(59.1) have negative attitude towards self medication since it results into recovery while few of
47(40.9)them have positive attitude towards self medication due to harmful effects like yellowing of
the eyes, body swelling and skin itching.

Medicines taken were 44(38.3%) consumed alu for self medication, while 6(33.0%) consumed
Panadol, other 26(22.6%)consumed amoxycillin, while 4(3.5%) consumed ibuprofen and very few
3(2.6%)consumed quinine, these show that most of the children had symptoms suggestive of malaria
thus why anti malaria (Alu) were mostly consumed and among them the majority of the respondents
59(51.3% ) were recovered while 37(32.2%) were improved and few of them 19(16.5%) did not
improve this show that self medication is also helpful since most of them59(51,3%) were recovered
and and few of them 19(16.5%)did not improve but at the same time others developed adverse
reactions like body rashes. severe diarrhea, severe vomiting and others conditioned worsened after
self medication

There were varied reasons as to why the respondents used self medication. The majority of them cited
poverty thus, 45(39.1% ) as the main reason for self medication while others mentioned lack of health
services facilities; 24.3% (28) other reasons were long distance to the health
facilities18(15.7%),others said no medicines in the health facilities14(12.2%) and few of them said
they dp practice due to emergency illiness10(8.7%)
Although self medication can be of help in treating minor illnesses which do not require hospital
intervention, hence reducing pressure on the medical services in most countries with limited
health care services, the use of medications like antibiotics without prescription is of great
concern. There are potential risks associated to the use of antibiotics which include masking of
malignant and potentially fatal diseases and development of resistance to pathogens.

According to the research conducted in Mzenga most of the participants lack knowledge about
self medication since most of them have low education level where 63(54.8%)
primary,22(19.1%) not attended,14(12.2) university while 16(13.9%) secondary, therefore due to
that they do practice self medication without understanding it’s implications.

5.1 Recommendations and conclusion

5.2 Conclusion
There is high prevalence of self medication amongst the take of under five years, according to
the research most of the people in mzenga lack knowledge about self medication due low level of
education mostly primary therefore education level should be provided to the people so as to
eliminate the practice of self medication. age mostly under 20 where people fails to understand
the implications associated with self medication and cost is the associating factor where most of
them have low economic status where people fails to afford hospital charges therefore the
hospital charges should minimized so that every individual can be able to afford. The practice of
self medication comes when people desire to get recovery and when medicines used become
helpful then self medication is done regularly where others develop negative attitude towards self
medication since it results to improvement of the children. All in all the Government and Non
Government institution has to play a role in educating people about the side effects of the drugs
so that people can be aware on that.

5.3 Recommendations
From the conclusions made, the following are the recommendations, the hospital charges
should be minimized, also people living in Mzenga village need much education about self
medication so that they can be aware of side effects.

5.4 Future research

Need for further study to be conducted with a larger sample size in order to substantiate the
findings of this study for possible generalization.
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