PEER INFLUENCE AND SELF ESTEEM AS PREDICTORS OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG THE YOUTH IN THE MIDDLE BELT REGION OF NIGERIA

Over the years, individuals have been visiting the drug stores intending to treat their respective illnesses without expert consultation. Self-medication has been defined as self-prescription and self-administration of drugs by an individual without consulting a medical expert. It is a public health concern. Research has established several predictor variables in self-medication. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the predictive role of peer influence and self-esteem on self-medication practice among the youth in the middle-belt region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was adopted. Two hundred and sixteen youth pooled from four large public health institutions in Kogi and Benue State participated in the study. The participant completed a self-report measure,and a multiple regression model was used to test the hypothesis. The result showed that peerinfluence statistically significantly predicted self-medication practice, while self-esteem did not. The study recommends a robust anti-self-medication campaign.

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SELF-MEDICATION AMONG ADULT POPULATION IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i5.16445 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 268

Author(s):

Suhana Jawahir ◽

Noorizan Abd Aziz

Keyword(s):

Adult Population ◽

Common Source ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medication Practice ◽

Patterns Of Use ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Important Health ◽

Search For Information

Objective: Self-medication is a common practice and an important health issue worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of self-medication practice, patterns of use, self-medication attitudes, and to explore the occurrence of side effects resulting from self-medication practice among the adult population in Selangor, Malaysia.Methods: This cross-sectional survey used a validated questionnaire administered to adults 18 y and above residing in Selangor.Results: A total of 401 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The majorities of the participants were Malay (91.5%) and went to college or university (89.3%). One-third self-medicated in the past two weeks prior to the survey. Self-medication was significantly associated with age (p=0.009) and race (p=0.038). Among the respondents, 83.8% would search for information before practicing self-medication. Modern healthcare professionals (58.4%) and the internet (47.1%) were the most common source of information about drugs for self-medication. The main reason for self-medication was the illness perceived as minor (79.1%). Two-thirds of the respondents (66.6%) had a satisfactory attitude towards self-medication practices.Conclusion: The public needs to be better informed on responsible self-medication to ensure safe, effective, and rational use of medicines.

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Patients’ Perceptions of Hospital Care in a Covid-19 Pandemic Population

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2021/v42i1930540 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 27-34

Author(s):

Okechwukwu Felix Erondu ◽

Michael Promise Ogolodom ◽

Awajimijan Nathaniel Mbaba ◽

Aniebo Nonyelum

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Hospital Care ◽

Health Planning ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Seeking Behavior ◽

Clean Environment ◽

Seeking Behavior

Background: COVID-19 pandemic was associated with pandemonium and misinformation, affecting patients' health-seeking behavior. This study was designed to explore patients' perceptions of hospital care during this period and to provide evidence-based and appropriate public health planning strategies. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 155 patients using 22 items structured and self-completion questionnaires to determine (A) Socio-demographic variables, (B) Knowledge and perception of the disease, and (C) The participants’ behaviors towards COVID-19. A Hardcopy version of the questionnaire was administered to the respondents by direct issuance. Results: 103(66.45%) of the respondents knew the cause of COVID-19, while 104 (67.09%) agreed that people can be infected with COVID-19 in the hospital. 84 (54.19%) were afraid of a hospital visit and 66 (42.58%) are unwilling to self-report if they have minor symptoms. A large number 43(27.74%) perceived a clean environment as the impetus to make them comfortable in the hospital. Conclusion: Our study illuminates gaps in the patients’ perceptions of hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted negatively on the patient population as they avoided hospitalization for fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital. Furthermore, appropriate public health strategies can improve patients’ perceptions and health-seeking behavior in a pandemic period.

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Predictors of Anaemia prevalence among pregnant women in urban Ghana: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.13559/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jones Asafo Akowuah ◽

Ebenezer Owusu-Addo ◽

Ama Opuni Antwiwaa

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Folic Acid ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Iron Sulphate

Abstract Background Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern. Despite its wide scope and adverse effects including increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and long-term adverse effects in the new born, extensive interventions using upstream approaches to public health have largely not been implemented. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of anaemia in pregnant women in four health facilities in the Kwabre East Municipality of Ghana.Method A cross-sectional survey with a two-stage sampling technique was conducted on 220 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the selected health facilities. Interview-based structured questionnaires were used. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors.Results The prevalence of anaemia was 11.4%. Few women (25) were anaemic and morphologically, 14 had normocytic normochromic (56%) anemia and 9 had Microcytic hypochromic (36) anaemia. Iron deficiency was reported in 19 (8.6%) pregnant women. Iron sulphate intake (AOR [95% CI] = 3.16 [1.15, 7.37], ANC follow-up during pregnancy (AOR [95% CI] = 3.07 [1.59, 7.99], household size of ≥ 5 (AOR [95% CI] = 3.58 [1.75, 9.52], folic acid intake (AOR [95% CI] = 5.29 [2.65, 12.39] and the period in pregnancy AOR [95% CI]= ≥36 weeks 3.2 (1.3–4.5) were independent predictors of anemia.Conclusion Though anaemia prevalence has been low in urban areas as previously reported, collaborated healthcare measures that aim at eradicating the menace are encouraged. Maternal health care interventions including the administration of folic acid, regular iron sulphate intake and intensive education on early ANC are recommended.

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Prevalence and Determinants of Hypertension Awareness, Treatment, and Control in Botswana: A Nationally Representative Population-Based Survey

International Journal of Hypertension ◽

10.1155/2020/8082341 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Neo M. Tapela ◽

Lei Clifton ◽

Gontse Tshisimogo ◽

Moagi Gaborone ◽

Tebogo Madidimalo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

Self Report ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adherence Support ◽

Hypertension Awareness ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

And Control

Introduction. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and an emerging public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Few studies have examined performance on the management of hypertension in this region, where the context may be distinct from other developing regions. Objectives. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of hypertension, awareness, treatment, and control among adults in Botswana, a middle-income African country undergoing rapid demographic transition and with high HIV burden. Methods. In this 2014 cross-sectional survey of adults aged 15–69 years, information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behavior, and medical history was collected through in-person interviews and physical measurements (body mass index and triplicate blood pressure (BP)). Hypertension was defined as self-report of use of antihypertensives in the previous two weeks and/or having elevated BP (≥140/90 mmHg). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to explore factors associated with hypertension, awareness (report of previous diagnosis), treatment (antihypertensives), and control (BP < 140/90). Results. Our analysis (N = 4,007) yielded an age-standardized hypertension prevalence of 30% (95% CI: 28%–32%, N = 1,393). Among hypertensives, 54% (50–58%) were unaware of their condition, 45% (40–50%) of those aware were untreated, and 63% (55–70%) of those on medications were suboptimally treated (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg). A fifth of hypertensives who were diagnosed but not on medications had BP ≥ 180/110 mmHg. Diabetes was the strongest correlate of hypertension and awareness (aOR 4.00, 1.86–8.59; aOR 3.30, 1.44–7.55, respectively). Males were less likely to be aware (aOR 0.62, 0.41–0.94) or controlled (aOR 0.36, 0.16–0.83). Obese individuals were more likely to be treated (aOR 2.17, 1.12–4.22), yet less likely to be controlled (aOR 0.32, 0.15–0.66). Conclusions. We report the first nationally representative estimates of the hypertension care cascade performance in Botswana, which will support planning and future policy evaluations. Findings contribute to the relatively sparse evidence on this subject and may inform development of innovations that improve quality of hypertension management and adherence support in similar settings.

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Marijuana use among youths in Mississippi, United States

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2017-0195 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Rasaki Aranmolate

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

United States ◽

High School Students ◽

Race And Ethnicity ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male Youth

AbstractBackgroundIncreased use of marijuana among youths in Mississippi, United States is of great concern to Public Health in the 21st century. This study examined the prevalence of marijuana use according to gender, race and ethnicity.MethodThe data for this study was obtained from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) for 2015, a cross-sectional survey of the Mississippi High School Students, which examined the prevalence and trends in the use of marijuana according to gender, race and ethnicity. The trends in the percentage of students that reported the use of marijuana and its product was examined by univariate t-test statistical analysis at p < 0.05. The frequency distribution was used to determine the percentage differences in the groups.ResultsThe students that ever used marijuana was 39.4% in Blacks, 39.1% in Hispanics and 31.0% in Whites. A total of 13.7% male and female (4.8%) used marijuana before 13 years of age. In addition, the students currently using marijuana include Blacks (10.9%), Hispanic (13.7%) and Whites (7.2%). Approximately 9.7% of students ever used the synthetic product, which was higher in Hispanic (18.7%) when compared to Blacks (8.8%) and Whites (9.1%).ConclusionThe use of marijuana is significantly higher among the male youth in Mississippi than females, which is a major public health concern. Furthermore, there was higher rates of smoking marijuana in Hispanics and Blacks when compared to White youth.

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Attitudes towards the COVID-19 Vaccine and Willingness to Get Vaccinated among Healthcare Workers in French Guiana: The Influence of Geographical Origin

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 682

Author(s):

Nicolas Vignier ◽

Kepha Brureau ◽

Sybille Granier ◽

Jacques Breton ◽

Céline Michaud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

French Guiana ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Health Concern ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negative Attitudes

Background: In the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the expansion of the more transmissible 20J/501Y.V3 (Gamma) variant of concern (VOC), mRNA vaccines have been made available in French Guiana, an overseas French territory in South America, from mid-January 2021. This study aimed to estimate the willingness to be vaccinated and the socio-demographic and motivational correlates among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in French Guiana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 22 to March 26, 2021 among a sample of HCWs in French Guiana. They were asked about their willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy, vaccine uptake and vaccines attitudes. Factors associated with willingness to get vaccinated have been analyzed with ordinal logistic regression, using Stata software. Results: A total of 579 HCWs were interviewed, including 220 physicians and 200 nurses most often working in hospital (54%) or in the liberal sector (22%). Overall, 65.6% of respondents reported that they were willing or had already been vaccinated against COVID-19, while 24.3% of respondents reported that they did not want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and 11.2% were unsure. HCWs were more willing to get vaccine if they were older, were worried about COVID-19 and were confident in the management of epidemic. Conversely, participants were less likely to have been vaccinated or willing to if they were nurses or of another non-medical profession, born in French Guiana, feared adverse effects, or if they did not trust pharmaceutical companies and management of the epidemic by authorities. Conclusion: Negative attitudes towards vaccines are a major public health concern among HCWs in French Guiana when considering the current active epidemic with Gamma VOC. General vaccine hesitancy and concerns about future side effects in particular represent important barriers. Low confidence in government and science are significant in COVID-19 vaccine refusal among non-medical staffs. Public health messaging with information on vaccine safety should be tailored to address these concerns. The specific challenges of HCWs from French Guiana must be taken into account.

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Labor and Related Injuries among Schoolchildren in Palestine: Findings from the National Study of Palestinian Schoolchildren (HBSC-WBG2006)

ISRN Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2014/729573 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christine Jildeh ◽

Ziad Abdeen ◽

Haleama Al Sabbah ◽

Christopher Papandreou ◽

Ibrahim Ghannam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Occupational Injuries ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Retail Trade ◽

Health Concern ◽

National Study ◽

Health Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related

Background. Labor related injuries among Palestinian schoolchildren are a significant undocumented public health concern. This study aimed at documenting the prevalence and nature of work related injuries among schoolchildren as well as identifying sociodemographic factors that predict these injuries. Methods. A cross-sectional survey included 15,963 children of whom 6458 (40.8%) completed an optional package related to labor. Students aged 12–18 years self-completed the international WHO collaborative HBSC valid questionnaires between April and May of 2006. Results. Approximately 73.8% of the students who filled the optional package reported working during the last 12 months, of whom 79.1% sustained a work related injury. Work injuries were significantly higher among boys, younger children, and children enrolled in UNRWA schools and living in Gaza Strip P<0.05. Children working ≥3 hours/day were more likely to experience injuries, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.53–1.95), than those working ≤3/day. About half of the children worked in retail trade (51.5%), agriculture (20.0%), and cleaning (11.4%). Injury type was related to the type of work performed. Conclusions. The high prevalence of injuries among working Palestinian schoolchildren confirms its severity as a public health problem. To reduce occupational injuries, policymakers and professionals should develop intervention programs that target the public and health providers.

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Physical Activity, Gender, Weight Status, and Wellbeing in 9- to 11-Year-Old Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.9.3.394 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 394-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Gavin Breslin ◽

Diana Gossrau-Breen ◽

Naomi McCay ◽

Gillian Gilmore ◽

Lindsay MacDonald ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Child Health ◽

Weight Status ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Illness ◽

Recommended Level

Background:The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity and wellbeing in children, and to further explore the extent to which this may vary by gender and weight status.Method:A representative sample of 1424 9- to 11-year-olds completed a self-report measure of physical activity, the Child Health and Illness Profile, KIDSCREEN, and a self-esteem scale. Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements were also obtained.Results:24% of children achieved the recommended level of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) per day, with more boys than girls achieving this level. Children achieving the recommended level of MVPA scored significantly higher on measures of the Child Health and Illness Profile (F(5, 1354) = 5.03; P < .001), KIDSCREEN (F(3, 1298) = 4.68; P = .003), and self-esteem (F(1, 1271) = 18.73; P = .003) than less active children although the effect sizes were small (ηp2 ≈ .01). Substantial gender differences in wellbeing were found reflecting gender specific behaviors and socialization. Weight status had negligible influence on wellbeing.Conclusions:Children who meet the recommended guidelines of MVPA were more likely to have better wellbeing. When attempting to raise children’s physical activity levels consideration should be given to the specific relationships between wellbeing and physical activity.

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Prevalence and Causes of Self Medication among Medical Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n11p150 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 150 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Marziyeh Zardosht ◽

Maryam Dastoorpoor ◽

Farzaneh Bani Hashemi ◽

Fatemeh Estebsari ◽

Ensiyeh Jamshidi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Self Report ◽

Drug Misuse ◽

Health Concern ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Self Medication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Multistage Sampling ◽

Test Retest Reliability

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a public health concern because of drug misuse/abuse and its medical, social and psychological problems.AIM: Given the growing prevalence of self-medication, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of self-medication among students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 550 students who were selected through multistage sampling from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, in southeast Iran. Data was collected through a self-report questionnaire. Test-retest reliability and content validity of this questionnaire were confirmed. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics via t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA).RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication among students was 50.2%. The most common cause of self-medication was related to students' knowledge about the diseases and medications (58.7%). The majority of drugs consumed arbitrarily included cough and cold medications (94.5%); analgesics (89.9%); antihistamines (80.0%); herbal drugs and distillates (78.9%); vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements and energizers (71.5%); antibiotics (61.8%); and gastrointestinal drugs (54.9%), respectively. The most common illness that led to self-medication was the common cold (95.4%), and the most important source of information regarding self-medication was the students’ own scientific knowledge of medical drugs (80.6%).CONCLUSION: Due to the adverse effects of self-medication, drug dependency, and microbial resistance and the relatively high prevalence of self-medication among students in this study, it would be advisable to organize awareness campaigns to further educate students about self-medication.

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Electric Scooters (e-scooters): Assessing the Threat to Public Health and Safety in Setting Policies: Assessing e-scooter policies

Chronicles of Health Impact Assessment ◽

10.18060/24194 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amber Comer ◽

Nate Apathy ◽

Carly Waite ◽

Zoe Bestmann ◽

Jacob Bradshaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Safety Hazards ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Health ◽

Harmful Behavior ◽

State And Local ◽

Public Health And Safety

Objective: To determine self-reported incidences of health and safety hazards among persons who ride rentable electric scooters (e-scooters), knowledge of e-scooter laws, and attitudes and perceptions of the health and safety of e-scooter usage. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of n= 561 e-scooter riders and non-riders was conducted during June of 2019. Results: Almost half of respondents (44%) report that e-scooters pose a threat to the health and safety of riders. Riders and non-riders disagree regarding the hazards that e-scooters pose to pedestrians. Among riders, 15% report crashing or falling off an e-scooter. Only 2.5% of e-scooter riders self-report that they always wear a helmet while riding. Conclusions: E-scooter riders report substantial rates of harmful behavior and injuries. Knowledge of e-scooter laws is limited, and e-scooters introduce threats to the health and safety of riders, pedestrians on sidewalks, and automobile drivers. Enhanced public health interventions are needed to educate about potential health risks and laws associated with e-scooter use and to ensure health in all policies. Additionally, greater consideration should be given to public health, safety, and injury prevention when passing relevant state and local e-scooter laws.

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