Chapter 1

Question 1

Define health

Answer 1

It is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being

Question 2

Define illness

Answer 2

It is a reaction to a perceived biological alteration
It has both physical and social meanings and is highly individual, depending on the state of mind and cultural beliefs, as well as physiological and psychological stimuli

Question 3

Define disease

Answer 3

It is a professionally defined by physicians, and for that reason, is supposed to be a more precise term

Question 4

Define sickness

Answer 4

It is a social status conversed on an individual by others. This is the approach taken by sociologists

Question 5

What are the three types of behavior in health and sickness?

Answer 5

Health behavior
Illness behavior
Sick role behavior

Question 6

What is the definition of health behavior?

Answer 6

Refers to any activity that a person, who believes they are currently healthy, engages in with the aim of preventing disease or detecting a potential illness in its early, asymptomatic stage

Question 7

Example of health behavior

Answer 7

Regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, getting vaccinations, or going for routine heath check-ups

Question 8

Define illness behavior

Answer 8

Any actions taken by a person who perceives themselves as feeling unwell
The purpose is to understand the health condition, interpret signs and symptoms, and seek an appropriate remedy. It involves the individual’s beliefs about their illness and their responses to signs and symptoms, all aimed at achieving a state of wellness

Question 9

Example of illness behavior

Answer 9

Visiting a doctor when experiencing persistent symptoms, searching for information about one’s symptoms, or trying home remedies to alleviate discomfort are instances of illness behavior

Question 10

Define sick role behavior

Answer 10

Refers to activities undertaken by individuals who recognize themselves as being ill, and these actions are directed toward recovering and returning to a state of health.

Question 11

Example of sick role behavior

Answer 11

Taking prescribed medications, following a recommended treatment plan, allowing rest to facilitate recovery

Question 12

What are the factors affecting health and illness behaviors?

Answer 12

Illness attributes/perception, socioeconomic status, gender, education, age, religion,

Question 13

How does illness attributes affect health and illness behavior?

Answer 13

Many acute illnesses are self-limiting and could be resolved with limited or without any medical intervention, while some require urgent medical attention
Some injuries and accidents require emergency and intensive care
In chronic illness, most patients often delay contact with the physician as symptoms may be limited. This is dangerous as early detection helps in proper management of the illness

Question 14

How does socioeconomic status affect health and illness behaviors?

Answer 14

Most of the countries in Africa still do not have a functional insurance scheme, so health care is part of out-of-pocket expenditures
In society imbedded in poverty, many people cannot afford such services because basic needs such as food and shelter are grossly inadequate

Question 15

How does gender affect health and illness behavior?

Answer 15

Most women in Africa require permission from their partners to access health care facilities
Men also bear the cost of spouses’ health care and decide when to access health care and what form of health care

Question 16

How does education affect health and illness behavior?

Answer 16

Education creates an understanding that aims to influence individual lifestyle decisions and raises awareness of the determinants and risk factors of health and encourages individuals to adopt positive health and illness behavior

Question 17

How does age affect health and illness behaviors?

Answer 17

Most lifestyle-related medical conditions are relatively lower among children, while some diseases are related to old age
The guardians take most decisions on health behavior on behalf of the school-age children
The youth takes self-responsibility for health and often engages in risky behaviors like smoking and alcohol
Health and illness behaviors have been deserved to be socially and culturally acquired from childhood

Question 18

How does religion affect health and illness behaviors?

Answer 18

Religion is a source of life protection and healing from all forms of illness and adversities
There are growing number of faith-based healers who often believe that there is no disease beyond the power of God to cure

Question 19

What risk behaviors does the religion prohibit?

Answer 19

Sexual, smoking, dietary behaviors, and alcohol consumption

Question 20

In the case of illness what does religion provide?

Answer 20

Social support and improves health behaviors
It provides social meaning to life and raises personal connections with others

Question 21

What are the pharmacist and patient behavior stages and opportunities ?

Answer 21

Symptom experience stage
Assuming the sick role
Medical care contact stage

Question 22

What is the symptom experience stage?

Answer 22

Patients often enter the pharmacist’s domain during this stage seeking relief of symptoms or assistance in interpreting them

Question 23

What are the responsibilities of pharmacists during symptom experience stage?

Answer 23

Offering safe and effective symptomatic treatments
Providing knowledgeable interpretation of symptoms is essential to ensure patients neither delay consulting a physician nor burden the healthcare system unnecessarily

Question 24

What is the assuming the sick role?

Answer 24

Patients, in the sick role, aim to get better and may choose self-medication

Question 25

Pharmacist are often the initial point of contact in this stage

Answer 25

Medical care contact stage

Question 26

What is the pharmacist role during assuming the sick role?

Answer 26

Guiding patients toward appropriate self-medication choices

Question 27

What is the role of pharmacist during medical care contact stage?

Answer 27

Depending on the nature of the contact, pharmacist can assist in accessing the healthcare system, help locate suitable medical services, and provide necessary pharmaceutical services and products