The Role of social media in Promoting Rational Drug Use Through Facebook: A Case Study of Jalalabad City
Keywords: Rational use of medicines, Facebook, health posts, promotion, Jalalabad city
Rokhanullah Rokhan
Abstract
In contemporary society, social media platforms play a crucial role in disseminating health information and promoting healthy behaviors. Specifically, Facebook serves as an effective tool for encouraging the rational use of medications, preventing their misuse, and enhancing health literacy among the public. The significance of this study lies in the limited level of health awareness in Afghanistan, where leveraging Facebook can create valuable opportunities to promote safe and rational medication practices. The primary aim of this research is to evaluate the role of Facebook based on the perspectives and experiences of residents of Jalalabad, examining how this social media platform contributes to promoting rational drug use and influencing health-related decision-making. The central research question is: What impact does Facebook have on the promotion and adoption of rational medication use? This study employed a quantitative descriptive design, with data collected from 385 participants using an online questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. Data analysis was conducted using Excel and SPSS software. The findings indicate that most participants are long-term Facebook users, with an average daily usage of 1–3 hours. Overall, participants expressed positive attitudes toward health- and medication-related posts, believing that Facebook influences their medication-related decisions, helps prevent irrational drug use, increases awareness, and facilitates the sharing of information with others. The study demonstrates that Facebook plays a significant and positive role in promoting rational medication use and improving public health awareness, although some participants expressed cautious or negative perspectives.
