ASSESSMENT OF ADULTS HEALTH LITERACY ON SELF-MEDICATION IN AKOKO SOUTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE

The main purpose of this study was assessment of adults’ health literacy on self-medication in Akoko south-west Local Government Area, Ondo State. The study was guided by four research questions, which include: What is the level of health literacy among adults in Akoko South West Local Government?, What are the prevalence of self-medication practices among adults in the study area?, Is there a relationship between health literacy and self-medication practices among adults in the study area?, What factors influence health literacy and self-medication practices among adults in the study area?. This study adopted a quantitative research design, specifically employing a phenomenological approach. The population of this study comprises of three thousand five fifty (3550) adults in Akoko South West Local Government, Ondo State. Thirty (30) adults where randomly selected in Akoko south-west Local Government. The researcher visited the selected places in Akoko south west Local Government to ensure that all the instruments were properly filled and to ensure that no errors occur and the questionnaire were retrieved immediately after its completion by the respondents. Findings revealed that many participants who had higher understanding about health literacy are more to engage in healthy behaviours, such as "regular exercise and balanced nutrition, taken of traditional herbs and more.” Several expressed that they had never engaged in self-medication. Those who get themselves involved in self-medication were significantly more aware of their health. The result revealed Participants generally agreed that anybody that doesn't have the knowledge of health literacy cannot get his/herself involved in self-medication and someone that cannot be able to read and write can also not have the privilege to get involved in self-medication and also language barrier is another factor. “Whenever I'm sick or maybe I'm having malaria, I always rely on my past experience with the medications to inform my self-medication practices. And also when it is just minor conditions, such as maybe headache, body temperature and other symptoms like that, I will more likely engage myself into self-medication.” (P10). The study recommended that, Government should develop a comprehensive framework to assess health literacy levels among adults in Akoko South West Local Government area, Ondo State, The State Government should collaborate with healthcare providers in the local government to assess health literacy levels and develop targeted intervention, State Government should partnership with community organisation to reach a broader audience and promote health literacy initiatives, Develop health education programmes to improve health literacy levels among adults in the Local Government, The State Government should provide training for healthcare providers on health literacy assessment and intervention strategies.