Abstract:
Background: Prescription of medicine is one of the most common interventions in health
care. For proper illness management, optimal use of appropriately prescribed medication is
important. Medication sharing is a public health concern because it often results in treatment
of symptoms and not the underlying disease. The ties in a social network are important
because people are interconnected and so is their health. The health intervention given to
one influential person can have an unintended effect on the rest of the network
Objective: The objectives of this study were to:Describe the Somali women’s perception of
medication sharing, Identify forms of social networks evident among Somali women living
in Eldoret, and Examine how the social networks influence medication sharing behaviour.
Methods: This was a phenomenological study, which was concerned with the lived
experiences of the participants and was conducted using the qualitative method. The study
sought multiple perspectives on these lived experiences using both in-depth interviews and
observations. The study population consisted of 30 Somali women living in Eldoret recruited
from six areas namely Huruma, West Indies, Mwanzo, MailiNne, Kapsoya and the Central
Business District. Using Purposive sampling, an initial 7 participants were recruited and a
further 23 participants were recruited using snowballing sampling procedure. Data collected
was transcribed and analysed and a composite was constructed to an overall description of
the phenomena as people usually experience them. Data was also presented using tables, pie
charts and diagrams.
Results: 21 of the participants practised medication sharing. The participants shared both
prescription and over the counter medication. Their social networks which include family,
friends, neighbours, those with similar health conditions, friends of friends, houseguests and
health care professionals, influenced their medication sharing practice. These social
networks influenced if and when medication should be shared and the type of medication to
be shared. The familial social network had the most influence on the practice of medication
sharing.
Conclusions: Medication sharing is practisedby the Somali women living in Eldoretand
within their social networks. Their social network has a direct influence on the types of
medication shared.
Recommendations: Somali women need education on the effects of medication sharing
from members of their social networks to promote safer medication taking practices.