Self-Medication: Perceived Severity and Practices among Old Adults in a Selected Municipality in Iloilo

Abstract

Self-medication remains to be a major challenge in the healthcare setting and often considered as self-care for most adults. These old adults often turn to self-medication to cope with the combined effects of several factors including physiologic and cognitive factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived severity and self-medication practices of old adults in a selected municipality in Iloilo. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design with survey approach as an instrument to gather data was utilized involving 186 old adults. This study underwent an ethical review process before collecting any data and was granted an ethical clearance. Findings revealed that the level of perceived severity of self-medication among the respondents was high, indicating that they are aware of the potential risks and serious effects associated with self-medication. In contrast, the level of self-medication practices was low, which suggests that old adults in this study generally do not engage in such behaviors. In conclusion, these findings indicate that perceived severity plays an important role in influencing self-medication practices, which means that the greater awareness of the consequences, the lower the engagement in self-medication among the old adults. These findings highlighted the importance of enhancing the healthcare system towards utilization of self-medication which will be of great benefit to the elderly population. It is recommended that providers develop accessible health education campaigns focused on risks and consequences involving self-medication and expand the scope to include diverse geographical locations and larger populations.