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)