Introduction: Self-medication is a global phenomenon which has potential risks. Patients with chronic diseases like hypertension are most likely to self-medicate. Despite several studies about self-medication among general population, there are no studies done regarding self-medication on hypertensive patients in the rural settings in the Philippines. Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors on self-medication among adult hypertensive individuals in a rural community. Reason influencing self-medication, antihypertensive drugs used, source of medication and information about the medication were identified. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used simple random sampling on adult hypertensive patients who consulted at the Barangay Health Station and during Sitio visits. Data were gathered using Interview-guided Questionnaire that was validated, piloted and reliability tested. Data were analyzed by SPSS Version 26. Results: One hundred fifty patients participated in the study. 94.7 % of them practice self-medication of antihypertensives mostly with Calcium Channel Blocker (68.3%) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (58.5%). Prevalent reasons influencing self-medication were availability of the drug (72.5%), previous experience with the disease or medication (68.3%), perception that disease is simple (67.6%) and reasons that revolve on saving time and money. 61.9% of respondents who practice self-medication obtain their medications at Barangay Health Center while 65.5 % bought from Community Private Pharmacy. Previous prescription is pervasive among the sources of information about the medications (93.7%). Other sources of information were family, and health center midwife or nurse. Conclusion and Recommendation Self-medication practice is prevalent among hypertensive patients in the rural community. Practices revolve on availability of medication, previous experience on the disease and medication, and saving time or money. Since the study was conducted on a rural community, further research could be done which would include urban setting, impact of self-medication on the blood pressure, and correlation of sociodemographic factors.
Rural Population

PURPOSE: This study was done to develop and evaluate the Integrated Stress Management Program (ISMP) for elders in rural communities. METHOD: ISMP consists of 6 educational programs to improve self-management behavior and therapeutic recreational activities and was developed by analyzing the published reports and through multidisciplinary cooperation.Effectiveness of the ISMP was evaluated by implementing the program with 53 rural elders living at home, one session a week of, 2 hours per session over, 6 weeks from March 14 to April. 22, 2005. RESULTS: After participating in the program, participants' perceived levels of stress decreased(t=2.940, p<.05), and mood state (t=4.229, p<.001), life satisfaction(t=-4.911, p<.001), and perceived social support (t=-2.891, p<.05) increased significantly. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the ISMP is an effective program for relieving stress level, and increasing positive mood, life satisfaction, and social support for elders in a rural community.
Rural Population* ; Self Care

The lower percentage of water, sanitation and hygiene are the root causes of diarrhoea and cholera. Cholera is a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhoea which can progress to severe dehydration and death if untreated. The current pandemic, Vibrio Cholera O1 started in 1961. This study explores water, sanitation, hygiene and cholera and diarrhoea in three affected villages of Beluran District, Sabah Malaysia to support effective and timely public health intervention. This cross sectional study uses purposive sampling. All (114) households were interviewed and household water samples collected. The study reported lower coverage improved sanitation facilities (35.3% to 52.3%), no latrine at home (37% to 63%), improved water supply (52% to 60%), and prevalence of hand washing after toilet (57% - 74%). For water quality, Ecoli was present in household water (32% to 37%) but Vibrio cholerae was not isolated in any of the water samples tested. Statistically significant associations were found for; 1) occupation−non-agriculture and unimproved sanitation facility and 2) house ownership and correct knowledge of ORS preparation. Predictors for household water quality were: latrine at home, and improved household toilet. Aggressive strategies to improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene−hand washing after toilet−were recommended for future prevention of cholera and diarrhoea in the affected area.
Cholera ; Sanitation ; Rural Population

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim to explore the present status of birth preparedness and complication readiness in rural area of West Bengal and determine the possible factor(s) influencing their knowledge and practice regarding this concern. Thirty villages with homogenous characteristics were identified by cluster sampling methods from a rural block (Bhatar, Burdwan district, West Bengal) of India on April 2013 to November 2013. From every cluster 7 mothers who had delivered baby within the last year and were available first, interviewed consecutively using a guided questionnaire adapted from JHPIEGO Maternal and Neonatal Health Programme survey tools. Multivariate logistic regression was applied in analysis to predict how much the independent variables influenced the birth preparedness of mothers. 62.4% mothers were found to be well prepared. Trained birth attendants and health facilities were identified before delivery in 81.9% and 78.1% cases respectively. Mode of transportation for complication management or delivery was pre-decided by about 60% of family. Only 35.7% family saved money for the same purpose. Logistic regression revealed that well preparedness increased 11 times with every new pregnancy, but it did not depend on caste and education status of the mothers. The overall birth preparedness status of the rural mothers is poor and they acquire more knowledge regarding birth preparedness from their self experience rather than from existing health system. ​
Parturition ; Rural Population ; India

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) is a systematic, semi-structured activity carried out in the field by a multidisciplinary team that is designed to obtain new information and hypotheses about rural life. This article reports the results of an RRA conducted in Kampung Paris 1 (KGP1), Kinabatangan, Sabah under the Annual Health Promotion Program of the School of Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. A systematic random sampling was used to recruit the villagers and data was obtained through compilation of pre-existing data, field observation, structured interviews with key informants and villagers. Cardiorespiratory diseases were prevalent in KGP1. Common water sources such as rain water collected in dug wells in KGP1 were unhygienic. Dangerous toxic fumes were produced by the burning of municipal wastes nearby village houses. The villagers of KGP1 were exposed to various farm animals, which may harbor zoonoses. Health care services are limited in KGP1. Villagers who were not poor (>RM897) represented 48% of the population, followed by the poor (RM503-897), 20% and the hardcore poor (1.00 person per bedroom. Poor water hygiene, polluted air from open burning, exposure to farm animals, poverty, poor education, overcrowding and inadequate health care services were among the few possible factors affecting the health of villagers in KGP1. Formal rigorous research should be conducted in the future to facilitate specific health interventions in areas of need such as KGP1.
Rural Population ; Rural Health ; Rural Health Services ; Health Status ; Malaysia

A survey on illness patterns and health seeking behaviour of 670 older persons had been conducted in Ba Vi district, Ha Tay province, results showed that: elderly women reported more acute illness than elderly men did; there were significant differences in term of acute and chronic illness patterns between elderly men and women; both men and women most commonly sought health care from private practitioners, then by self-treatment and from commune health centres, however, women used hospitals less often than men; for the elderly, the most common reason for choosing a health care provider was the nearness; women more significantly than men depended on others to decide the choice of the type of health care service they should use
Health Services ; aged ; Rural Population

No abstract available.
Humans ; Rehabilitation* ; Rural Population* ; Stroke*

COVID-19 ; Humans ; Rural Health Services ; Rural Population

No abstract available.
Bangladesh* ; Depression* ; Glucose* ; Prevalence* ; Rural Population*

No abstract available.
Bangladesh* ; Depression* ; Glucose* ; Prevalence* ; Rural Population*