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Journal of Sociology and Social Work

June 2020, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 20-27

ISSN: 2333-5807 (Print), 2333-5815 (Online)

Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved.

Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development

DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v8n1a2

URL: https://doi.org/10.15640/jssw.v8n1a2

 

Knowledge of Dangers of Self-Medication among Secondary School Students in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State

 

Alfred Stephen Ekpenyong¹ & Mandu S. Ekpenyong²

 

 

Self-medication is a health issue that little or nothing is known about. This study was set out to ascertain the knowledge of dangers of self- medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the work. The population of the study was 5900 students in the 20 registered secondary schools in Yenagoa. The sample of 300 students was randomly selected using non-replacement technique from the 10 selected schools. The instrument used for data collection was a well structured questionnaire. The technique used for the data analysis was descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage and inferential statistics of chi-square (x2). The major findings of this study was that knowledge of dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in the area of study was low. Based on this the study recommended among others that campaign against self-medication, and its related health risk should be embarked upon by health workers. Also, drug and consumer education should be included in the school curriculum, while Parents should also minimize the use of drugs at home, and monitor their children attitude towards the use of drugs.

 

Keywords: Drug abuse, Health, Knowledge, Self-medication, Students Background of the Study

 

Self-medication is an age long health issue. It is an act th at is as o ld as m an; s elf m ed icat io n h as b een practiced many centuries ago, whereby tree barks, roots and herbs are used to treat ailments that afflict man at those times.

 

Self-medication is associated with the use of drugs. Drug is any substance other than food, which by its chemical nature affects the structure and functions of living organisms. Drug is a substance that alter the physical or mental states when taken into the body (Akubue 2016). Drugs are used to prevent, alleviate or cure illness and to relieve pain. Drugs come in different forms such as tablets, caplets, capsules, creams, Ointments, injectable, inhalations and so on. Drugs may be swallowed, injected, applied to the skin, inhaled or inserted (Combs, 2006). In recent times, drugs are integral part of living. By the end of 19th century, the emergence of new group of drugs as a result of the innovations and scientific discoveries in medicine and health also led to emergence of new drug users. In many western societies, the widespread usage of vitamins and over-the-counter supplements without medical advice is mainly due to the availability of drugs (Edward & Daniel, 2014).

 

Self-medication has been largely aided by vigorous promotion adverts by pharmaceutical companies in recent time. In the prints and electronic media, people are continually urged to keep fit by taking drugs to prevent and cure their common ailments. Drugs that are readily available over—the-counter include pain relievers, cough remedies, vitamins, tonics and many others, (Frank, 2006). Some observers of health behavior and medical affairs have speculated that self-medication arises from the desire of laymen to feel more in control of their own health, rather than relying on medical establishment, whose motives are sometimes seen as suspects. Also, the extraordinary increase in the cost of health services in the recent time causes people to desperately find more affordable alternatives which sometimes proves to be ineffective and expensive (Dean; 2010).

 

 

 

• Dept of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Niger Delta University. Email: alfyny93@yahoo.com
• Dept of Nursing, Faculty of Health, psychology and social care, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Email: M.Ekpenyong@mmu.ac.uk

 

Alfred Stephen Ekpenyong & Mandu S. Ekpenyong

21

 

The phenomena of Self-medication affects people from all social classes. This exerts an influence on the general attitude of society towards drug abuse and misuse. Drug abuse is not a new phenomenon in this contemporary world. Drug misuse is the act of taking a drug for the purpose of fulfilling a need that the drug cannot pharmacologically fulfill while drug abuse is the repeated misuse of drugs (Dusek and Daniel, 2014). The most misused drugs are the tranquillizers, and analgesics or pain relievers. Self-medication is a practice that leads to unhealthful drug consumption patterns both in choice of drugs and dosage. It is not only cost-effective; it is harmful to the patient as it’ causes toxicity, resistance and tolerance. It has also contributed to public health hazards by leading to the development of resistant malaria and antibiotic resistant bacteria (WHO;2006)

 

Owing to the facts above, the researcher is motivated by the need to ascertain the level of knowledge of students in terms of dangers associated with indiscriminate use of drugs. This is because, if they have sound knowledge of the dangers of self-medication, they will be able to avoid the act.

 

Statement Of The Problem

 

In Nigeria, drugs use has been part of our social health inheritance. Self-medication as an aspect of drug abuse is a threat to youths and adolescents, people take drug for many reasons, for example, for fun, escapism, sensual stimulation and as a result of frustration (Ogunremi &Okoonofia 2006).

 

Many factors are incorporated in perpetuating the act of self-medication, such factors could be social, physical or psychological (Onuzulike 2002). One of the strongest social reasons for people’s involvement in self-medication is peer pressure. Both teenagers and adults are involved. Such peer influence is characterized by the desire to be accepted among friends or in social circumstance.

 

Nicholson (2012) pointed out that the extraordinary increase in the cost of health care in recent decades-doctor, hospital prescription causes some individuals to desperately try to find more affordable alternatives to treat or prevent their own afflictions. Though, this pursuit sometimes proves to be ineffective and expensive. Also, people resort to self-medication thinking that since the symptoms are similar to the disease they suffered before, it is not necessary to visit the hospital or health professional to waste their money.

 

Many dangers are associated with self – medication. This is because the consumer has no knowledge of the efficacy of drug or its hazards, thus leading to a greater number of toxic reactions. According to Ekwe & Obimba (2000), the dangers of self-medication are problems to contemporary m e d i c a l p e r s o n n e l s . I t b r i n gs s e r i o u s a d v e r s e consequences to the user, his family, community and society at large.

 

G en er a ll y , s t ud en t s ar e s e en t o b e t h e wo r s t offenders in the issue of self -medication as they resort to use of drugs in order to cope with academic stress. While some ar e for ced to use drugs by senior students, others use drugs as a result of ignorance, c u r i o s i t y , e x u b e r a n c e o r t o b e c o u r a g e o u s i n t h e presence of other students and school authorities. Also, the secondary students in Yenagoa Local Government Area are not left out in this issue or problems of self-medication and drug abuse. Ages of 14-20yrs of age are about 60%, others ages 21-25yrs 30% are the number of persons that are involved in drug abuse in the area of study.

 

T h e a b o v e f a c t s o r p r o b l e m s m o t i v a t e d t h e researchers towards ascertaining the level of knowledge of dangers of self – medication among seco ndary school students in Yenagoa Local Government Area. The prima r y objective of this study is to determine the k n o w l e d g e o f d a n g e r s o f s e l f – m e d i c a t i o n a m o n g secondary school students in the study area.

 

This will be ach ieve d through the following specific objective and hypotheses of study. Objective

To determine the level of knowledge about the dangers associated with self – m ed icat ion an d to ascertain whether the knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A differ by a gender.

 

Hypothesis

 

Knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among secondary schools in Yenagoa L.G.A. does not significantly differ by age.

 

22                                                                                                  Journal of Sociology and Social Work, Vol. 8, No. 1, June 2020

 

 

The gender of secondary school student in Yenagoa LGA does not influence their knowledge of dangers of self-medication. Knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A. does not differ by class level.

 

Description of Study Area and Methodology

 

Geographically Yenagoa lies between latitude 6^⁰-12^⁰ and 7^⁰-13^⁰ N and between longitude 5^⁰E – 45^⁰E. It is located on a fairly low lying coastal plain and it is about 78.64 meters above sea level. The total area covered by the city is about 125Sq.Km. linguistically, Yenagoa is originally an Epie -Atissa speaking environment. Owing to urbanization and the rapid influx of people from other parts of the state and the country, Yenagoa now has a heterogenous population comprised Ijaw, Ogbia, Nembe, Urhobos, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and Efik speaking groups.

 

The target population for this research consisted of the 6000 students in the 20 registered secondary schools in Yenagoa L.G.A, It also includes all the male and female students from whom the required information was gathered.

 

T h e d es cr ip t ive s ur vey m et h o d is t h e r es ear ch a dopted for this study. For the achievement of the objective of this research, this survey method was used to determine the extent of knowledge of dangers of self medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A. This method has been used in similar studies. The samples for the study comprised 300 male and female students from 10 randomly selected secondary schools in Yenagoa L.G.A.

 

T h e m u l t i – s t a g e sampling technique was adopted in selection of our sample size in the study area. The major instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire. Data collected was

 

analyzed using the descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage for the research ques t io n s an d ch i – s quar e ( X2) t es t o f as s o ciat io n o r dependence for testing the hypotheses.

 

Alfred Stephen Ekpenyong & Mandu S. Ekpenyong		23
	Table 1 -Population of schools in Yenagoa L.G.A
	Name of Schools	Population
	Community Comprehensive secondary school, Agburah	380
	Future Secondary school, Yenagoa
		500
	Ekpetiama comprehensive High School, Tombia	420
	Biseni Secondary School, Kalama
		450
	Community secondary school, Agbobiri
		350
	Government Grammar School, Okolobiri	720
	Ogu Grammar school, Ogu Atissa
		600
	Community secondary school, Zarama
		400
	Epie National  High School, Kpansia	550
	Community  comprehensive secondary school, Ayamabele
		480
	Agudama Comprehensive High school	350
	Community secondary school, Opolo-Epie	250
	Saint Jude Girls Secondary School, Yenagoa	1300
	Community secondary school, polaku	680
	Ogbopuru Community secondary school, Koloama	550
	Community secondary school, Azikoro	400
	Community secondary school, Swali	300
	Community secondary school, Agudama-Epie	220
	Community secondary school, Igbogene	320
	Bishop Dimeari Boys secondary School yenagoa	280
	Total	5900

 

Data Presentation And Analysis

 

The table above shows frequency distribution of respondents by age, gender, class and religion. From the analysis, it shows that 50 (17.9%) were within 12-14 years, 97(34.6%) were within 15 -17 years, 83(29.6%) were within 18- 20 years, 50(17.9%) were 21years and above. It also shows frequency distribution of respondents by gender. From the analysis, it shows that 117(41.8%) were males while 163 (58.2%) were females.

 

24                                                                                                  Journal of Sociology and Social Work, Vol. 8, No. 1, June 2020

 

 

On analysis of class level, It shows that 101(36.0%) were within JSS class, 179(64.0%) were in SSS class. Finally data on frequency distribution of respondents by religion shows that 276 (98.5%) were Christians while 4 (1.4%) were Muslims.

 

Table 2: showing socio-demographic characteristics of respondents

 

Age	Frequency	Percentage
12 – 14	50	17.9%
15 – 17	97	34.6%
18 – 20	83	29.6%
21 and above	50	17.9%
Gender
Male	117	41.8%
Female	163	58.2%
Religion
Christianity	276	98.5%
Islam	4	1.4%
Class
JSS class	101	36.0%
SSS class	179	64.0%

 

Source: Field work

 

Table 3: Descriptive statistics showing the level of knowledge of dangers of self-medication

 

Do you know what is self-medication	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
Yes	210	75.0%
No	70	25.0%
Total	280	100%
Do  you  know  that  there  are  dangers	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
associated with self-medication
Yes	100	36.0%
No	180	64.0%
Total	280	100%
Can  self-medication  lead  to  wrong	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
diagnosis and treatment?
Yes	135	48.0%
No	145	52.0%
Total	280	100%
Can   self-medication   lead   to   drugs	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
addiction and dependence?
Yes	114	41.0%
No	166	59.0%
Total	280	100%
Does self-medication lead to damage of	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
vital organs like the liver?
Yes	80	29.0%
No	200	71.0%
Total	280	100%
Can Self-medication lead to resistance	Frequency (n = 280)	Percentage (%)
due to under or prolonged treatment?
Yes	130	46.0%
No	150	54.0%
Total	280	100%

 

Source: Field work

 

Alfred Stephen Ekpenyong & Mandu S. Ekpenyong

25

 

Table 3 presents data on the level of knowledge of secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A on the dangers of self-medication. The table shows that 75% of the students have knowledge of what self medication is, compare with 25% who do not know what is self medication.

 

Further analysis shows that 64% of the respondents don’t have knowledge of the dangers associated with self- medication. Only 48%, of the respondents knows that self-medication can lead to wrong diagnosis and treatment, and about 59% do not know that self -medication can lead to addiction and dependence, analysis also shows that 71% of the respondents do not know that self-medication can lead to damage of vital organ and about 54% of respondent do not know that self-medication can lead to resistance due to under or prolonged treatment.

 

Hypothesis 1.

 

Knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A. does not significantly differ by age.

 

Table: 4 knowledge response by age

 

Age	Has knowledge	No knowledge	Total
12 – 14	15(30%)	35(70%)	50
15 – 17	32(33%)	65(67%)	97
18 – 20	33(40%)	50(60%)	83
21+	20(40%)	30(60%)	50
Total	100	180	280

 

Source: Field work

 

Since x2cal = 2.01 < x2 tab = 7.81 at the significant level of 0.05. We therefore accept (null hypothesis) and conclude that knowledge of dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa does not differ by their age difference.

 

The result implies that the observed difference in knowledge is not significant and could have occurred as a result of chance.

 

Hypothesis 2

 

The gender of secondary school students in Yenagoa LGA does not influence their knowledge of dangers of self-medication.

Table 4.1: Knowledge response by gender

 

Gender	Has knowledge	No knowledge	Total
Male	57(49.0%)	60(51.0%)	117
Female	63(39%)	100(61.0%)	163
Total	128	152	280

 

Source: Field work

 

Since x2 c = 7.89> x2 tab =3.84. We reject null hypothesis and thus conclude that gender of secondary school students in Yenagoa does not significantly influence their knowledge of the dangers of self-medication. The above result implies that the difference observed has no relationship with their gender.

 

26                                                                                                  Journal of Sociology and Social Work, Vol. 8, No. 1, June 2020

 

 

 

Hypothesis 3

 

Knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A does not differ by their class level

Table 4.2 knowledge response by class level

 

Class level	Has knowledge	No knowledge	Total
JSS Class	44(37%)	57(63%)	101
SSS Class	84(48%)	95(52%)	179
Total	128	152	280

 

Source: Field work

 

Since X2 Cal = 0.03 <x2 tab= 3.84 at the significant level of 0.05, we accept the null hypothesis and conclude that knowledge of dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa LGA is not differentiated by class level. The result implies that there is no difference in knowledge by their class level; the difference observed is significant.

 

Discussion of Findings

 

In discussion of findings, the objectives of the study and research hypotheses were used and backed up with the relationship with other studies.

 

The data on table 3 revealed that 210(75%) have knowledge of what self medication is, compare to 70(25%) that don’t have the knowledge at all. The table also showed that the students had the knowledge of all the listed dangers but at varied degrees.

 

This finding is in agreement with WHO (2006) that very little is known about self-medication. This is because drug education does not form a major topic in the secondary schoo1 health education curriculum. Further analysis showed that a good number of students 180(64.0%) has no knowledge of the dangers of self-medication. This could be because in Yenagoa LGA self-medication is not part of the curriculum in secondary school.

 

However, a critical analysis of the table 4 shows that 64% of the students do not have knowledge of the dangers of self-medication. Also, the students between the age range of 12- l4years (30%) has knowledge while (70%) within similar age bracket has no knowledge, This could be as a result of lack of exposure to the world.

 

Objective two was set to ascertain whether the knowledge of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A differ by gender. The result of data analysis using x2 test of association yielded x2 cal 7.89

 

• x2 tab 3.84. Thus null hypothesis was rejected and conclusion drawn that knowledge of dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A is not influenced by gender. This implies that both males and females have low knowledge response.

 

This low knowledge response in both gender is because most programmes conducted for youths in and out of school concentrate more on religious and moral issues than health especially the concept in question (Albert 2003). This therefore explains the need for including drug and consumer education in youth activities in and out of school.

 

Hypothesis 3 sought to ascertain whether the knowledge: of dangers of self-medication among secondary school students in Yenagoa L.G.A differ by class level. The result of data analyzed shows that x2 Cal 0.03<x2 = 3.84. This lead to the acceptance of null hypothesis and conclusion drawn that knowledge of dangers of self medication among the students does not differ by class level. Analysis shows that there is no significant difference. This finding agrees with Albert (2003) opinion that lack of information’s on drug leads to their low knowledge of the dangers associated with self-medication.

 

Alfred Stephen Ekpenyong & Mandu S. Ekpenyong

27

 

Conclusion

 

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn.

Secondary school students in YenagoaL.G.A have low knowledge of the dangers of self-medication .

Age does not influence the knowledge of dangers of self medication among secondary school students.

Knowledge of the dangers of self-medication was influenced by gender.

Knowledge of dangers of self —medication does not differ by class level.

Religion affiliation does influence the knowledge of dangers of self-medication among secondary school student in the study area.

 

Recommendations

 

The Following recommendations were made based on the findings of the study;

 

An awareness campaign on self- medication and its Health -related risks should be embarked upon by health professionals; also, intensive health education should be carried out.

 

The curriculum planners should include drug and consumer education in the school curriculum in all levels of education to help create awareness on the dangers of self-medication.

 

The government should ensure that there is law enforcement on the illegal sale of drugs by hawkers, over the counter (OTC) shops. This will reduce indiscriminate use of drugs.

 

The government should enact a law on drug purchase and types of drugs to he sold over the counter (OTC). In this way culprits will be called to order.

 

Religious organizations should educate their members on the dangers of self-medication, in line with their moral teachings.

 

References

 

Akubue, P.I. (2000). Health, Checks and Health Promotion your personal guide to a long active life Enugu: snap press.

Albert, P.A. (2003). Controlling the abuse of drugs New York: Macmillan publication.

 

Combs, B. T. & Briao, K.D (2006) An invitation to health California: Benjamin/Cummings publishing company, Inc.

 

Dean, J.C. (2010). Personal and community health London Mosby Company.

Dusek, PSo& Daniel, M. C (2014).The use of drugs.Tbronto: Kinsman enterprise.

Edward, Y.S & Daniel F.B (1997). Complete guide to therapy, New York Livingstone publications.

Ejifugha, A.U. (2006). Fundamentals rot research in health education Benin: Barloz publishers.

Ekwe, A.O., & Obimba, F.U. (2000) ed. Essential research project writing Owerri career publishers.

Frank, U.C (2006). Performance studies with antihistamine journal of clinical pharmacology 1978 (6), 31-35.

 

Nicholson, A.N. (2012). Studies on the central effects of drugs European journal of clinical pharmacology  32, 4193.

 

Ogunremi, C.E. &Okoonofia, K. 0.(2006,).Drug abuse.An overview of the current situation in Nigeria. Africa training

 

Courses in Drug dependence.

Onzulike, IV.M (2002). Issues in health OwerriMcmillians publishers.

Orji, B.T. (20o02,) dangers self-medication Owerri, Cajek publications.

 

Ruth, F.C & Constance, J.H. (2000).Fundamentals of nursing New York; Lippicott publications. WHO, (2006). Drug abuse: Reduction and prevention. A News letter, 12 – 14