ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMERS DRUG KNOWLEDGE IN ADDIS ABABA: CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMERS DRUG KNOWLEDGE IN ADDIS ABABA: CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY Tenaw Andualem and Tsige Gebre-Mariam School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University (INRUD Ethiopia); E-mail: tenawandualem@hotmail.com

INTRODUCTION • Knowledge on drugs is an important element in their proper use. • Studies on adults indicate that individuals are able to discriminate between minor and major ailments. They take care of minor problems on their own. • More than 60% of the reported illnesses are dealt with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. A few studies indicate that adolescents gain drug knowledge through drug consumption, i.e., not prior to taking drugs and college students use the frequently advertised products.

INTRODUCTIONContinued • Obviously, such practices may lead to potential risks, particularly so during self-medication. • Drugs can be dangerous, particularly to those who have little awareness on the potential risks. • One of the factors that contribute to improper use of drugs is lack of overall knowledge on drugs.

INTRODUCTIONContinued Problem Statement: Knowledge on drugs is an important element for proper drug use. Knowing the names of drugs alone should not be considered as adequate.

OBJECTIVES To assess consumers drug knowledge and the influencing factors thereof in the sampled population of Addis Ababa.

METHODS Design:Cross-sectional Study Setting:Stratified random samples of community pharmacies were selected as study sites. Included community pharmacies both public and private located at different geographical locations of Addis Ababa City.

METHODSContinued Study Population: • The study includes all drug consumers who came for self-medication during January to February 2002. • A total of 1200 convenient samples of self-medicating drug consumers were taken for the study. Outcome Measure(s): • Assess level of knowledge and perception of consumers about drugs.

RESULTS • Respondents consisted of Socio-demographic characteristics of all age categories of both genders; varying educational backgrounds and occupation. • As regards information on names of drugs, drug consumers know not only the names of OTC drugs but also of potent prescription only drugs. • Among the top 15 frequently recalled drugs, six were antimicrobials, namely, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Cotrimoxazole and Chloramphenicol.

RESULTS Continued • Drug consumers indicated preferences for dosage forms (96%); the highest being for tablets (36.5%), followed by injections (28.3%) and liquid dosage forms (20.2%). • Nearly half (50.4%) of drug consumers reported they quit taking the full course of medication before the date advised by the health care provider when illnesses are relieved.

Table 1: Responses of patients on various questions testing their knowledge on drugs (Addis Ababa, Jan-Feb, 2002).

Table 2: Knowledge of drug interactions of drug consumers

Table 3: The frequent reasons for discontinuation of drugs before the date advised by the health care provider

Figure 1: Dosage form preferences of drug consumers (n = 713, Addis Ababa, Jan-Feb, 2002).

CONCLUSION • Knowing the name of the drug alone does not necessarily mean adequate knowledge. It was evident from non-compliance on the use of drugs. • Adequate information and counseling should be provided to drug consumers on the drugs they request and that have to be assured. • The public has to be educated on the proper use of drugs.

Research Question • Specific research on the relationship between drug knowledge and self-medication; and drug knowledge, attitude and use (KAU). • Interventions research in the areas of consumers knowledge of drugs. • Preparation of Proper Drug Use Educational materials (to the public and to the health care providers) to encourage proper use of drugs

ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMERS DRUG KNOWLEDGE IN ADDIS ABABA: CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY