Home⇛LPU-St. Cabrini Journal of Allied Medicine⇛vol. 5 no. 3 (2023)

Level of Awareness and Attitude of Selected Young Adults Towards Self-medication of Analgesics During Covid-19 Pandemic in Barangay Sta. Clara, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas

Mariz Cheska Catalo | Riva Macalintal | Hannah Joyce Mendoza | Hannah Faye Motas

Discipline: Pharmacology

 

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread lockdowns, prompting many individuals to rely on self-medication. Analgesics became among the most used medications due to their role in pain management. Young adults are particularly prone to this practice because of low-risk perception, basic medicinal knowledge, easy internet access, and widespread media coverage of health issues. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness and attitude of selected young adults toward the self-medication of analgesics during the pandemic in Barangay Sta. Clara, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. A modified and adopted questionnaire was utilized to assess respondents’ awareness and attitudes, examine their relationship, and identify differences when grouped by demographic profile. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Pearson product–moment correlation, t-test, and ANOVA. Results showed that most respondents were females aged 18–23 and undergraduates who tended to self-medicate. Acetaminophen was the most commonly used analgesic, primarily for headache relief due to its perceived effectiveness. Overall, respondents demonstrated moderate awareness and generally positive attitudes toward self-medication of analgesics, believing it helps relieve pain without harming their health. A significant relationship was found between awareness and attitude. No significant differences in awareness and attitude were observed by age or gender, while attitude significantly differed based on educational attainment. The findings highlight the need for improved healthcare education and responsible medication practices.



References:

  1. Abdi, A., Faraji, A., Dehghan, F. et al. Prevalence of self-medication practice among health sciences students in Kermanshah, Iran. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 19, 36 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-018-0231-4
  2. Abhra, S., Molla, S., & Melkam, W. Self-medication Practice: The case of Kolladiba Town, North West Ethiopia. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 5(10), 670-676
  3. Al Essa, M., Alshehri, A., Alzahrani, M., Bustami, R., Adnan, S., Alkeraidees, A., Mudshil, A., & Gramish, J. (2019). Practices, awareness and attitudes toward self-medication of analgesics among health sciences students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 27(2), 235–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2018.11.004
  4. Alves, J. C., Lok, T. C., Luo, Y., & Hao, W. (2020). Crisis challenges of small firms in Macao during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11782-020-00094-2
  5. Anaba, E., Adeife, M., & Oaku, R. (2021). Prevalence, pattern, source of drug information, and reasons for self-medication among dermatology patients. Dermatologic therapy, 34 (2), Article e14756. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.14756
  6. Ansari, M. Alanazi, A., & Moin, A. (2020). Consumers’ awareness, attitude and associated factors towards self-medication in Hail, Saudi Arabia. PLOS ONE, 15(4), Article e0232322. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232322
  7. Azhar, M. I. M., Gunasekaran, K., Kadirvelu, A., Gurtu, S., Sadasivan, S., & Kshatriya, B. (2013). Self- Medication: Awareness and Attitude among Malaysian Urban Population. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine and Public Health. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251879435_Self-medication_Awareness_and_Attitude_among_Malaysian_Urban_Population
  8. Babatunde, O. A., Fadare, J. O., Ojo, O. J., Durowade, K. A., Atoyebi, O. A., Ajayi, P. O., & Olaniyan, T. (16 July 2016). Self-medication among health workers in a tertiary institution in South-West Nigeria. PanAfrican Medical Journal. 24(312). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2016.24.312.8146
  9. Behzadifar, M., Aryankhesal, A., Ravaghi, H., Baradaran, H. R., Sajadi, H. S., Khaksarian, M., & Bragazzi, N. L. (2020). Prevalence of self-medication in university students: systematic review and meta-analysis. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 26(7), 846-857. https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.20.052 
  10. Birru, E. M., Abay, Z., Abdelwuhab, M., Basazn, A., Sirak, B., & Teni, F. S. (2016). Management of headache and associated factors among undergraduate medicine and health science students of University of Gondar, North West Ethiopia. The journal of headache and pain, 17, 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0647-4 
  11. Carrasco-Garrido, P., de Andrés, A. L., Barrera, V. H., Jiménez-Trujillo, I., Fernandez-de-lasPeñas, C., Palacios-Ceña, D., Jiménez-García, R. (2014). Predictive factors of self-medicated analgesic use in Spanish adults: a cross-sectional national study. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-6511-15-36 
  12. Chindhalore, C. A., Dakhale, G. N., & Giradkar, A. B. (2020). Comparison of self-medication practices with analgesics among undergraduate medical and paramedical students of a tertiary care teaching institute in Central India - A questionnaire-based study. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 9, 309. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_378_20
  13. Diener HC, Holle D, Dresler T, Gaul C. Chronic Headache Due to Overuse of Analgesics and Anti- Migraine Agents. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Jun 1;115(22):365-370. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2018.0365
  14. Dilie, A., Gualu, T., Haile, D., & Zuleta, F. A. (2017, May 30). Knowledge, attitude and practice of self- medication among health science students at Debre Markos University, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Public  Health and Epidemiology, 9(5), 106-113. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPHE2017.0926 
  15. Faqihi, A., & Sayed, S. (2021). Self-medication practice with analgesics (NSAIDs and acetaminophen), and antibiotics among nursing undergraduates in University College Farasan Campus, Jazan University, KSA. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises, 79(3), 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharma.2020.10.012 
  16. Fookes, C. (19 July 2021). Paracetamol: 7 things you should know. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/tips/paracetamol-patient-tips
  17. Goyal, A., Gaur, A., Chhabra, M., & Deepak, K. (2018). Knowledge, attitude and practices of over the counter (OTC) medicines among rural population - a cross sectional study. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 4(2), 227–231. https://doi.org/10.31024/ajpp.2018.4.2.21 
  18. Gyawali, S. (2015). Knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among basic science undergraduate medical students in a medical school in western Nepal. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2015/16553.6988 
  19. Ibrahim, N. K. R., Alamoudi, B. M., Baamer, W. O., & Al-Raddadi, R. M. (2015). Self-medication with analgesics among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 31(1), 14–18. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.311.6526
  20. Indermitte, J., Reber, D., Beutler, M., Bruppacher, R., & Hersberger, K. E. (2007). Prevalence and patient awareness of selected potential drug interactions with self-medication. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 32(2), 149–159. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2710.2007.00809.x
  21. Karimy, M., Rezaee-Momtaz, M., Tavousi, M., Montazeri, A., & Araban, M. (2019). Risk factors associated with self-medication among women in Iran. BMC Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7302-3
  22. Klotz, U. (2012). Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) - a Popular and Widely Used Nonopioid Analgesic. Arzneimittelforschung, 62(08), 355–359. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1321785
  23. Lawan, U. M., Abubakar, I. S., Jobi, A. M., & Rufai, A. (2013). Pattern, Awareness and Perception of Health Hazards Associated with Self Medication Among Adult Residents of Kano Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. (2013). Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 38(3), 144–151. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.116350
  24. Mamo, A., Hassen, M., Adem, A., Teferu, Z., Kumbi, M., Husen, A., Solomon, D., Lette, A., Hailu, S., Sinba, E., Abduletif, A., Kassim, J., Walle, G., Atlaw, D. (2021. Knowledge, attitude, and utilization of drugs toward COVID-19 pandemic among Bale Zone residents, Southeast Ethiopia. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121211034384
  25. Mathias, E. G., D’souza, A., & Prabhu, S. (2020). Self-Medication Practices among the Adolescent Population of South Karnataka, India. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2020, 9021819. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9021819 
  26. Mudenda, S., Kampamba, M., Mufwambi, W., Lufungulo, E. S., Phiri, M., & Hikaambo, C. N. (2021). Factors Affecting Access to E-Learning during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Among Rural-Based Pharmacy Students in Zambia: A Qualitative Study. Epidemiology – Open Journal, 6(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.17140/EPOJ-6-124
  27. Mustafa, O., & Rohra, D. (2017, June 7). Patterns and determinants of self-medication among university students in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, 8(3), 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphs.12178 
  28. Naqvi, A. A., Ahmad, R., Qadeer, O., Hassan Khan, M., Nehal Nadir, M., & Alim, M. (2016). The prevalence of self medication and the factors influencing its practice in pharmacy students of Karachi, Pakistan: A mix mode study. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 8(3), 230–238. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2016.3.11 
  29. Onchonga, D. (2020). A Google Trends study on the interest in self-medication during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 28(7), 903-904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2020.06.007 
  30. Oyediran, O. O., Ayandiran, E. O., Olatubi, M. I., & Olabode, O. (2019). Awareness of risks associated with Self-medication among Patients attending General Out-patient Department of a Tertiary Hospital in South Western Nigeria. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 10, 110-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2019.03.001 
  31. Pew Research Center. (2015, September 3). The Whys and Hows of Generations Research. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2015/09/03/the-whys-and-hows-of-generations-research/
  32. Saha, A., Marma, K. K., Rashid, A., Tarannum, N., Das, S., Chowdhury, T., Afrin, N., Chakraborty, P., Emran, M., Mehedi, H. M., Hussain, M. I., Barua, A., & Mistry, S. K. (2022). Risk factors associated with self-medication among the indigenous communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. PLOS ONE, 17(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269622 
  33. Sarahroodi, S., Maleki-Jamshid, A., Sawalha, A., Mikaili, P., & Safaeian, L. (2012). Pattern of self- medication with analgesics among Iranian University students in central Iran. Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 19(2), 125. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.98302
  34. Shaamekhi, H. R., Asghari Jafarabadi, M., & Alizadeh, M. (2019). Demographic determinants of self- medication in the population covered by health centers in Tabriz. Health promotion perspectives, 9(3), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.15171/hpp.2019.26
  35. Shwetha, H., Veena, D. R., Shanmukananda, P., & Poorvi, M. (2020, July 24). A Cross Sectional Questionnaire based study on self medication practice ... Retrieved July 4, 2022, from https://www.ijbcp.com/index.php/ijbcp/article/view/3992
  36. Tee, M. L., Tee, C. A., Anlacan, J. P., Aligam, K., Reyes, P., Kuruchittham, V., & Ho, R. C. (2020). Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Journal of affective disorders, 277, 379–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.043 
  37. Thadani, S., Salman, M. T., & Ahmad, A. (2013). Knowledge, attitude and practice of selfmedication among second year undergraduate medical students. Journal of Rational Pharmacotherapeutics and Research, 1(3). 131-134. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259934253_Knowledge_Attitudes_and_Practice_of_Self_Medication_Among_Second_Year_Undergraduate_Medical_Students
  38. The      World   Bank.   (n.d.).   Governance    &          Institutions       COVID-19            Response        Resources. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance/brief/governance-institutions-covid-19-response-resources
  39. Vandenbussche, N., Laterza, D., Lisicki, M., Lloyd, J., Lupi, C., Tischler, H., Toom, K., Vandervorst, F., Quintana, S., Paemeleire, K., & Katsarava, Z. (2018). Medicationoveruse headache: A widely recognized entity amidst ongoing debate. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-018-0875-x
  40. Wegbom, A. I., Edet, C. K., Raimi, O., Fagbamigbe, A. F., & Kiri, V. A. (2021). Self-medication practices and associated factors in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 virus: A population-based survey in Nigeria. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.606801 
  41. WHO (2000) Guidelines for the Regulatory Assessment of Medicinal Products for Use in Self Medication., Geneva. https://iris.who.int/items/468d79f6-9788-4296-9bc9-68014166373d 
  42. World Health Organization (WHO). Coronavirus disease (2019) (COVID-19) Situation Report94. Available online at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
  43. Wu, Y.-X., Wang, E.-H., Zhao, X.-J., Han, F.-X., Zhang, J.-G., Cui, L., Chen, J., & Wu, P.-P. (2021). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of medication among Haikou residents. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 10(6), 6883–6891. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-21-1295
  44. Zardosht, M. Dastoorpoor, F.B. Hashemi, F. Estebsari, E. Jamshidi, A. AbbasiGhahramanloo, P. Khazaeli Prevalence and causes of self medication among medical students of kerman university of medical sciences, Kerman Iran Global J. Health Sci., 8 (11) (2016 Mar 23), p. 150. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n11p150

 


Tools


Copyright © 2026  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic