DETERMINANT OF PATIENTS’ CHOICE OF MEDICATION FOR TREATMENTOF HEMORRHOID IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined factors determining patients’ choice of medication for treatment of hemorrhoid in Ekiti state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study.  The population of the study comprised 1,340,954; being the total number of people in the six selected local government areas in Ekiti state. 520 respondents were sampled from this population using the proportionate stratified sampling techniques. Primary data used for the study were gathered through the administration of structured questionnaires and personal interview. The sample employed for the In- Depth interview (IDI) were 24 respondents (4 each) chosen across the entire six local government areas of the state. Data gathered were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics involves the use of simple tables and percentages, while multiple regression and correlation analysis were the inferential statistics employed. The study found out that peer group influence, gender, age and income in that order are significant factors determining patients’ choice of treatment for jagedi with t values of 4.764, 3.998, 3.241 and 3.24 respectively. Furthermore, the study found that there is a significant positive relationship between previous personal experience and treatment of hemorrhoid, with local herbs having R values of    0.214 (weak relationship) and imported medicine at R value of 0.193 (very weak relationship)