Analyzing the Perspective of Mothers on Antibiotic Misuse: A Qualitative Study in San Juan’s Lower-Middle Income Households

Abstract

Self-medication is the use of drugs by an individual for treating self-diagnosed symptoms [1] and is a leading factor of increasing antibiotics resistance, especially in nations with prevalent low-income households such as the Philippines [2]. In a family unit, mothers are considered the caregivers as they identify illnesses, administer remedies, and seek professional help when necessary [3]. Since their perspective and stance on self-medication largely affects how a Filipino household tackles health-related issues. In line with this, this study determined the perspective of mothers from lower-middle income households, on the use of antibiotics, its misuse, and misconceptions. It also discussed their impression on the results of their self-medication of antibiotics and awareness on the dangers and communal effects of using self-medicated antibiotics. A total of twelve (12) mothers that have a five-year-old child at the minimum and within 23-56 years old from lower-middle income households in Barangay Pasadeña of San Juan City were gathered through purposive sampling. These respondents have undergone a structured interview that consisted of fourteen (14) questions that was constructed according to the qualitative phenomenological research design and was analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo (v.12) software. Thematic analysis presented four main themes and nine sub-themes. Main themes include acquiring antibiotics, participants' practices and experiences on using antibiotics, participants' knowledge and perception with the use of antibiotics, and factors leading to participants misuse of antibiotics. Under these main themes, the sub-themes were acquiring antibiotic (1) with and (2) without prescription; (3) Experiences/common practices and (4) self-medication using antibiotics; knowledge on (5) side-effects and (6) opinions and preferences on antibiotic use; and (7) financial problems, (8) lack of awareness or education, and (9) other personal reasons as factors behind antibiotic misuse. Overall, the mothers' presented awareness of the risks of self-medicating antibiotics and preference for professional help; however, factors such as financial problems, lack of awareness or education, and other personal reasons are why it is more convenient for mothers from lower-middle income households to self-medicate antibiotics. They also reported favorable results when self-medicating. This may result in further practice of self-medication and highlights the importance of healthcare accessibility and availability for households in the lower-middle income bracket.