Variables | n (%) |
The presence of routine drug usage | |
Yes/No | 219 (72.8)/82 (27.2) |
Awareness of trade names of drugs | |
Yes/No/Some of them | 140 (63.9)/69 (31.5)/10 (4.6) |
Knowing the indication of drugs prescribed | |
Yes/No/Some of them | 175 (79.9)/31 (14.2)/13 (5.9) |
Storage of unnecessary drugs at home | |
Yes/No | 209 (69.4)/92 (30.6) |
Types of unnecessary drugs* | |
Analgesics | 188 (90.0) |
Decongestants and cold | 112 (53.6) |
Dyspeptic | 66 (31.6) |
Antipyretics | 49 (23.4) |
Topical | 13 (13.9) |
Vitamin supplies | 27 (12.9) |
Antibiotics | 25 (12.0) |
Cough syrup | 22 (10.5) |
Others | 29 (6.2) |
Ways of supply of unnecessary medications* | |
By prescription | 183 (87.6) |
Consulting the pharmacist | 58 (28.8) |
Remaining from previous treatment | 10 (4.8) |
Methods of keeping the medications* | |
In a drawer | 112 (37.2) |
In a refrigerator | 84 (27.9) |
In a special box | 67 (22.3) |
In a medicine cabinet | 41 (13.6) |
In a bag | 37 (12.3) |
Others | 4 (1.3) |
Methods of management of remaining drugs* | |
I save it for later use | 115 (38.2) |
I throw it in the trash | 80 (26.6) |
No leftover drugs | 55 (18.3) |
I return it to the pharmacist | 48 (15.9) |
I give it to the health institution | 35 (11.6) |
I give it to my relatives | 8 (2.7) |
Others | 9 (3.0) |
Ways of the first presentation in case of sickness* | |
I am applying to a health institution | 226 (75.1) |
I apply complementary/traditional methods | 80 (26.6) |
I use medicines in hand | 70 (23.3) |
I don’t need treatment | 28 (9.3) |
I consult my pharmacist | 1 (0.3) |
I consult my family or relatives | 2 (0.7) |
Others | 7 (2.3) |
Discontinuing the treatment | |
Yes/No | 97 (32.2)/204 (67.8) |
Reasons for discontinuing the treatment* | |
Recovery | 83 (85.6) |
Forgetting | 8 (8.2) |
Side effects | 7 (7.2) |
Others | 1 (1.0) |
Taking OTC drug | |
Yes/No | 112 (37.2)/189 (62.8) |
Reasons for taking OTC drugs * | |
It worked before | 70 (62.5) |
To avoid paying the inspection fee | 17 (15.2) |
I don’t have enough time | 14 (12.5) |
Not covered by social insurance | 5 (4.5) |
Relatives recommendations | 5 (4.5) |
Overtime | 4 (3.6) |
Others | 8 (7.1) |
Classification of OTC drugs* | |
Analgesics | 74 (66.1) |
Decongestants and cough | 34 (30.4) |
Cardiovascular | 11 (9.8) |
Topical | 9 (8.0) |
Dyspeptic | 8 (7.1) |
Vitamin supplies | 6 (5.4) |
Antipyretics | 4 (3.6) |
Others | 14 (12.5) |
Source of information on drugs used* | |
Physician | 191 (63.5) |
Pharmacist | 139 (46.2) |
Prospectus | 38 (12.6) |
Relatives | 15 (5.0) |
Websites | 7 (2.3) |
Nobody | 3 (1.0) |
Nurse/Paramedic | 2 (0.7) |
Management of side effects* | |
I am applying to a health service/physician | 215 (71.4) |
I stop using | 54 (17.9) |
Never seen | 41 (13.6) |
I consulted the pharmacist | 20 (6.6) |
I keep using | 11 (3.7) |
Others | 8 (2.7) |
Checking the expiration date | |
Yes/No | 268 (89.0)/33 (11.0) |
Reading the prospectus | |
Yes/No | 250 (83.1)/51 (16.9) |
Supporting the OTC drug ban | |
Yes/No/Both yes and no | 253 (84.0)/39 (13.0)/9 (3.0) |