Knowledge and Attitude about Misuses of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications among Saudi Adults

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude about misuses of over the counter medications among Saudi adultsBackground: The consumption of Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications, i.e., drugs that are sold without doctors’ prescriptions, has increased. People think that OTC drugs are safe, but they can be dangerous and have adverse effect. To assess the knowledge and attitude about misuses of over the counter medications among Saudi adults was very crucial. Design: A descriptive correlational cross section design was utilized. Methods: 500 adult Saudi male and female were recruited in the current study in Riyadh city, from general public at different sites. The data has been collected by a questionnaire developed by the researchers. It contains 3 sections: Section 1: contained questions covering socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, Section 2: consisted of 8 questions to assess the participant’s attitude towards un-prescribed OTC and Section 3: this section contained 7 questions for knowledge assessment. Results: More than half of participants (58.2%) used medications without prescription and the reason behind it the easiness to get it (35.4%). The most common reason for uses of OTC medications was Sore throat (61.8%). 72.4% reported that they obtain it from the pharmacy. The majority of participants (94.8%) reveled the misuse of OTC medications could be harmful. 89% of participants agreed that the OTC can cause adverse effects. In addition, majority of participants (76%) used pain killer’s medications while the minority (5.6%) used sleeping aids. Conclusions: The misused of OTC medications among Saudi adults in Riyadh was high, which needs more awareness campaigns about the uses of medications. Relevance to clinical practice: Accurate assessment of knowledge and attitude about misuses of OTC medications among Saudi adults could help in preventing the side effect and dangerous from such medications.

Keywords: Over-The-Counter medication (OTC), Misuse.

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?

•               Assessment of knowledge and attitude about misuses of OTC medications among Saudi adults could help in preventing the side effect and dangerous from such medications.

•               Lack of knowledge regarding the dangerous of misuses of OTC medications is a common contributing factor to this problem.

•               Accurate identification of level of knowledge and attitude about misuses of OTC medications among Saudi adults could help in raising the awareness of population accordingly.