Samuel Ojima Adejoh Ph.D., Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Nigeria Correspondence to: Dr. S.O. Adejoh, Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Email: samuelojima@yahoo.com sadejoh@unilag.edu.ng Oyeleke Ajiboye Isaac Ph.D. Department of Sociology (Social Work Unit), University of Lagos, Nigeria oyelekeajiboye@yahoo.com/aoyeleke@unilag.edu.ng
Abstract Purpose: To examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics, anti-malarial drugs advertisement and self-medication for the treatment of malaria among adults in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey technique was used; data were collected from 188 adult respondents who were randomly selected from households in Lagos. The data were analyzed using simple percentages, chi-square and logistic regression. The independent variables were sex, marital status, employment status, level of education, age, anti-malarial drugs usage based on advertisements, belief in the efficacy of advertised drugs, while the dependent variable was engagement in self-medication. Result: Twenty percent and forty three percent of the male and female respondents, respectively self-medicated based on anti-malarial drug advertisement. Sex (P<.001), marital status (P<.034), anti-malarial advertisements (P<.000), and belief in the efficacy of advertised anti-malarial drugs (P<0.000) were all significantly related to self-medication for malaria treatment. Sex (Wald- 8.369, df= 1, P<.036) and belief in the efficacy of advertised drugs (Wald= 4.393, df= 1, P<.036) were found to be potent predictors of self-medication for malaria treatment. Conclusion: There is the need to examine sex beyond the biological connotation to the patriarchal nature of society. It is also necessary to regulate how anti-malarial advertisements are carried out in the mass media.
Keywords: Efficacy of advertised drugs, Sex, Malaria, Advertisement, marital status