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

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is no one-to-one correspondence between telling and knowing and between knowing and doing. Knowledge on drugs is an important element for proper drug use. This study attempts to assess "consumers" drug knowledge and the influencing factors there in the sampled population of Addis Ababa. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in multi-stage stratified sampled community pharmacies in Addis Ababa. Convenient sampling technique was employed to select respondents from among those who came to the community pharmacies to purchase drugs for self-medication. Respondents were interviewed about their overall knowledge on drugs they know before they were given information on drugs they requested. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents showed that drug consumers consisted of all age categories of both genders, varying educational background and occupation. As regards information on names of drugs, it was found out that drug consumers know not only the names of over-the-counter drugs but also of potent drugs. Among the top fifteen frequently recalled drugs, six were antimicrobials, namely, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Cotrimoxazole and Chloramphenicol. Drug consumers indicated preferences (96%) for dosage forms; the highest being for tablets (36.5%), followed by injections (28.3) and liquid dosage forms (20.2%). Thirty percent of the respondents discontinued taking the drug before the date advised by the health care provider of which 50.4% did so when illnesses were relieved. CONCLUSION: Knowing the name of the drug alone does not necessarily mean adequate knowledge. Non-compliance on the use of drugs was evident. Adequate information and counselling 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.