Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Study Instrument and Distribution
2.3. Data Analysis
2.4. Ethical Approval
3. Results
3.1. Face Validity and Pre-Testing
3.2. Demographic Data
3.3. Knowledge of OTC Medication
3.4. Attitudes on the Use of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines
3.5. Respondents’ Practices Regarding Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication Use
4. Discussion
Limitations of the Study
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Bekele, K.M.; Abay, A.M.; Mengistu, K.A.; Atsbeha, B.W.; Demeke, C.A.; Belay, W.S.; Yimenu, D.K. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Over-the-Counter Drugs Among Pharmacy and Medical Students: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Integr. Pharm. Res. Pract. 2020, 9, 135–146. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ayele, A.A.; Mekuria, A.B.; Tegegn, H.G.; Gebresillassie, B.M.; Mekonnen, A.B.; Erku, D.A. Management of minor ailments in a community pharmacy setting: Findings from simulated visits and qualitative study in Gondar town, Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 2018, 13, e0190583. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Khan, M.Y.; Gupta, P.; Goswami, D.; Bihari, B.; Verma, V. A Review on Marketing of OTC Drugs. Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2013, 3, 72–78. [Google Scholar]
- Mok, C.Z.; Sellappans, R.; Loo, J.S.E. The prevalence and perception of self-medication among adults in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Int. J. Pharm. Pract. 2020, 29, 29–36. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- World Health Organization General Policy Issues. Drug Inf. 2000, 14, 2.
- Bennadi, D. Self-medication: A current challenge. J. Basic Clin. Pharm. 2014, 5, 19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tesfamariam, S.; Anand, I.S.; Kaleab, G.; Berhane, S.; Woldai, B.; Habte, E.; Russom, M. Self-medication with over the counter drugs, prevalence of risky practice and its associated factors in pharmacy outlets of Asmara, Eritrea. BMC Public Health 2019, 19, 159. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Dabbagh, R.; Aldofyan, M.; Alzaid, W.; Alsulimani, A.; Alshamrani, S.; Alqahtani, S.; Abuhaimed, A. Prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse among female students at a Saudi university. J. Subst. Use 2020, 26, 549–557. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zafar, S.N.; Syed, R.; Waqar, S.; Zubairi, A.J.; Vaqar, T.; Shaikh, M.; Yousaf, W.; Shahid, S.; Saleem, S. Self-medication amongst university students of Karachi: Prevalence, knowledge and attitudes. J. Pak. Med. Assoc. 2008, 58, 214–217. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Holmström, I.K.; Bastholm-Rahmner, P.; Bernsten, C.; Röing, M.; Björkman, I. Swedish teenagers and over-the-counter analgesics—Responsible, casual or careless use. Res. Soc. Adm. Pharm. 2014, 10, 408–418. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sansgiry, S.S.; Bhansali, A.H.; Bapat, S.S.; Xu, Q. Abuse of over-the-counter medicines: A pharmacist’s perspective. Integr. Pharm. Res. Pract. 2017, 6, 1–6. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Blozik, E.; Rapold, R.; Von Overbeck, J.; Reich, O. Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication in the adult, community-dwelling population in Switzerland. Drugs Aging 2013, 30, 561–568. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- French, D.P.; James, D.H. Reasons for the use of mild analgesics among English students. Pharm. World Sci. 2008, 30, 79–85. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Corrêa da Silva, M.G.; Soares, M.C.F.; Muccillo-Baisch, A.L. Self-medication in university students from the city of Rio Grande, Brazil. BMC Public Health 2012, 12, 339. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Cairns, R.; Brown, J.A.; Wylie, C.E.; Dawson, A.H.; Isbister, G.K.; Buckley, N.A. Paracetamol poisoning-related hospital admissions and deaths in Australia, 2004–2017. Med. J. Aust. 2019, 211, 218–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Benotsch, E.G.; Koester, S.; Martin, A.M.; Cejka, A.; Luckman, D.; Jeffers, A.J. Intentional Misuse of Over-the-Counter Medications, Mental Health, and Polysubstance Use in Young Adults. J. Community Health 2014, 39, 688–695. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Van Ha, T.; Nguyen, A.M.T.; Nguyen, H.S.T. Self-medication practices among Vietnamese residents in highland provinces. J. Multidiscip. Healthc. 2019, 12, 493–502. [Google Scholar]
- Chui, W.K.; Li, S.C. Advice-giving on self-medication: Perspectives of community pharmacists and consumers in Singapore. J. Clin. Pharm. Ther. 2005, 30, 225–231. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kitikannakorn, N.; Sitthiworranan, C. Self-medication among undergraduate students in Thailand. Int. J. Disabil. Hum. Dev. 2009, 8, 411–416. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chautrakarn, S.; Khumros, W.; Phutrakool, P. Self-Medication With Over-the-counter Medicines Among the Working Age Population in Metropolitan Areas of Thailand. Front. Pharmacol. 2021, 12, 726643. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ali, S.E.; Ibrahim, M.I.M.; Palaian, S. Medication storage and self-medication behaviour amongst female students in Malaysia. Pharm. Pract. 2010, 8, 226–232. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Sharma, D.; Gurung, D.; Kafle, R.; Singh, S. Knowledge and practice on over-the-counter drugs among adults of age group 20 and above residing in Chapapani-12, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal. Int. J. Sci. Rep. 2017, 3, 79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Ministry of Finance and Economy D of S and D of EP and S. Report of the Mid-Year Population Estimates 2020. 2020. Available online: http://deps.gov.bn/DEPDDocumentsLibrary/DOS/POP/2020/RPT_MidYr_2020.pdf (accessed on 17 April 2021).
- Kifli, N. Medication Wastage and its Disposal Amongst Patients at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Brunei Darussalam. Med. Health 2016, 11, 139–150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Over-the-Counter Medicines: What’s Right for You? FDA. Available online: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/choosing-right-over-counter-medicine-otcs/over-counter-medicines-whats-right-you (accessed on 9 May 2021).
- Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Status of certain additional over-the-counter drug category II and III active ingredients. Final rule. Fed. Regist. 2002, 67, 31125–31127. [Google Scholar]
- R: The R Project for Statistical Computing. Available online: https://www.r-project.org/ (accessed on 26 May 2021).
- Microsoft Office 2019|Microsoft 365. Available online: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/get-started-with-office-2019 (accessed on 26 May 2021).
- Tesfaye, Z.T.; Ergena, A.E.; Yimer, B.T. Self-Medication among Medical and Nonmedical Students at the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Scientifica 2020, 2020, 4021586. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shah, K.; Halder, S.; Haider, S.S. Assessment of knowledge, perception, and awareness about self-medication practices among university students in Nepal. Heliyon 2021, 7, e05976. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mohamed Irfadh Mohamed Azhar, K. Self-medication: Awareness and Attitude among Malaysian Urban Population. Int. J. Collab. Res. Intern. Med. Public Heal. 2013, 5, 436–443. [Google Scholar]
- Uppal, D.; Agarwal, M.; Roy, V. Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication among college students. Int. J. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. 2014, 3, 988. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Young, B.E.; Chen, M. Influenza in temperate and tropical Asia: A review of epidemiology and vaccinology. Hum. Vaccin. Immunother. 2020, 16, 1659–1667. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- El Guerche-Séblain, C.; Caini, S.; Paget, J.; Vanhems, P.; Schellevis, F. Epidemiology and timing of seasonal influenza epidemics in the Asia-Pacific region, 2010–2017: Implications for influenza vaccination programs. BMC Public Health 2019, 19, 331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mehuys, E.; Crombez, G.; Paemeleire, K.; Adriaens, E.; Van Hees, T.; Demarche, S.; Christiaens, T.; Van Bortel, L.; Van Tongelen, I.; Remon, J.-P.; et al. Self-Medication With Over-the-Counter Analgesics: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Concerns About Pain Medication. J. Pain 2019, 20, 215–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Taybeh, E.; Al-Alami, Z.; Alsous, M.; Rizik, M.; Alkhateeb, Z. The awareness of the Jordanian population about OTC medications: A cross-sectional study. Pharmacol. Res. Perspect. 2020, 8, e00553. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sarganas, G.; Buttery, A.K.; Zhuang, W.; Wolf, I.; Grams, D.; Rosario, A.S.; Scheidt-nave, C.; Knopf, H. Prevalence, trends, patterns and associations of analgesic use in Germany. BMC Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2015, 16, 28. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Cho, J.-H.; Lee, T.-J. The Factors Contributing to Expenditures on Over-the-Counter Drugs in South Korea. Value Health Reg. Issues 2013, 2, 147–151. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Eichenberg, C.; Auersperg, F.; Rusch, B.; Brähler, E. Selbstmedikation: Eine bundesdeutsche Repräsentativbefragung zu Motiven, Anlässen und Informationsquellen für den Konsum rezeptfreier Medikamente. PPmP-Psychother. Psychosom. Med. Psychol. 2015, 65, 304–310. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tejasvi, P.K.; Magendran, J.; Magendran, J. A study of over-the-counter (OTC) drug usage pattern among the patients attending a medical college hospital. Med.-Legal Updat. 2020, 20, 230–235. [Google Scholar]
- Temple, V.J.; Meauri, G.; Lauwo, J.A. Prevalence of self-medication among students in University of Papua New Guinea. Pacific J. Med. Sci. 2011, 9, 17–31. [Google Scholar]
- Mehta, R.K.; Sharma, S. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication among Medical Students. J. Nurs. Health Sci. 2015, 4, 89–96. [Google Scholar]
- Dalton, K.; Byrne, S. Role of the pharmacist in reducing healthcare costs: Current insights. Integr. Pharm. Res. Pract. 2017, 6, 37–46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Ting, C.Y.; Abd Wahab, M.S.; Lee, K.S.; Tan, R.T.H.; Ming, L.C. A cross-sectional study on the use of, preference for, and perceived reliability of mass media for drug-related information among the general public in Sarawak. Ther. Innov. Regul. Sci. 2017, 51, 212–220. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Annear, B.; Sinclair, K.; Robbe, I.J. Response to “Returned medicines: Waste or a wasted opportunity?”. J. Public Health 2008, 30, 209. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Brunei Ministry of Education Brunei Darussalam Education Statistics 2018. Available online: www.moe.gov.bn (accessed on 20 January 2022).
Variable | n (%) |
---|---|
Gender | |
Male | 85 (25.4) |
Female | 250 (74.6) |
Nationality | |
Bruneian | 328 (97.9) |
Permanent Resident | 7 (2.1) |
Higher institutions | |
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) | 169 (50.4) |
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) | 28 (8.4) |
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) | 36 (10.7) |
Kolej Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) | 4 (1.2) |
Politeknik Brunei (PB) | 89 (26.6) |
Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) | 9 (2.7) |
Academic degree | |
Certificate (HNTec/NTec/skill certificate) | 20 (6.0) |
Diploma | 80 (23.9) |
Undergraduate | 212 (63.3) |
Master | 16 (4.8) |
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | 7 (2.1) |
Course of study | |
Health science-related | 111 (33.1) |
Non-health science-related | 224 (66.9) |
Year of study | |
Year 1 | 94 (28.1) |
Year 2 | 105 (31.3) |
Year 3 | 56 (16.7) |
Year 4 | 74 (22.1) |
Year 5 | 5 (1.5) |
Year 6 | 1 (0.3) |
Statement | Correct | Incorrect | Unsure |
---|---|---|---|
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
OTC medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription. | 273 (81.5) | 15 (4.5) | 47 (14.0) |
We are allowed to use OTC medicines to improve our health. | 264 (78.8) | 18 (5.4) | 53 (15.8) |
OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve major illnesses (brain and heart diseases). | 217 (64.8) | 33 (9.9) | 85 (25.4) |
OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve minor illnesses (fever and mild headache). | 316 (94.3) | 0 (0) | 19 (5.7) |
Interactions involving OTC medicines can sometimes produce unwanted results or make medicines less effective. | 234 (69.9) | 8 (2.4) | 93 (27.8) |
Some OTC medicines can also interact with foods and beverages and health conditions (high blood sugar and high blood pressure). | 212 (63.3) | 9 (2.4) | 114 (34.0) |
Pregnant and breast-feeding women should be extra cautious while using OTC drugs. | 301 (89.9) | 1 (0.3) | 33 (9.9) |
Painkiller is an example of an OTC medication. | 286 (85.4) | 12 (3.6) | 37 (11.0) |
Paracetamol (such as Panadol) is safe and effective when used correctly but taking too much can lead to liver damage. | 278 (83.0) | 2 (0.6) | 55 (16.4) |
Characteristics | Knowledge Score | p Value | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Good 1 | Moderate 2 | Poor 3 | ||
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | ||
Gender | 0.127 a | |||
Male | 53 (62.4) | 24 (28.2) | 8 (9.4) | |
Female | 179 (71.6) | 60 (24.0) | 11 (4.4) | |
Nationality | ||||
Bruneian | 225 (68.6) | 84 (25.6) | 19 (5.8) | 0.282 a |
Permanent Resident | 7 (100) | 0 | 0 | |
Academic degree | ||||
Certificate | 13 (65.0) | 4 (5.0) | 3 (15.0) | |
Diploma | 45 (56.3) | 27 (33.8) | 8 (10.0) | |
Undergraduate | 153 (72.2) | 51 (24.1) | 8 (3.8) | 0.028 a* |
Master | 15 (93.8) | 4 (25.0) | 0 | |
Doctor of Philosophy | 6 (85.7) | 1 (14.3) | 0 | |
Course of study | ||||
Health science-related | 102 (91.9) | 9 (9.9) | 0 | |
Non-health science-related | 130 (58.0) | 75 (33.5) | 19 (8.5) | <0.001 b* |
Statement | n (%) |
---|---|
Using OTC medicines as self-medication is safe when you use them correctly. | |
Strongly agree | 121 (36.1) |
Agree | 150 (44.8) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 52 (15.5) |
Disagree | 11 (3.3) |
Strongly disagree | 1 (0.3) |
OTC medicines are convenient to obtain and use. | |
Strongly agree | 160 (47.8) |
Agree | 115 (34.3) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 55 (16.4) |
Disagree | 5 (1.5) |
Strongly disagree | 0 (0) |
OTC medicines can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding but with caution unless stated on the label to avoid. | |
Strongly agree | 62 (18.5) |
Agree | 106 (31.6) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 97 (29.0) |
Disagree | 42 (12.5) |
Strongly disagree | 28 (8.4) |
I should take OTC medicines when I have minor illness. | |
Strongly agree | 51 (15.2) |
Agree | 116 (34.6) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 124 (37.0) |
Disagree | 35 (10.4) |
Strongly disagree | 9 (2.7) |
OTC medicines are safe, but I would seek a pharmacist’s advice if I am not sure about my minor illness and which is suitable for it. | |
Strongly agree | 206 (61.5) |
Agree | 74 (22.1) |
Neither agree nor disagree | 45 (13.4) |
Disagree | 7 (2.1) |
Strongly disagree | 3 (0.9) |
Statements | n (%) |
---|---|
Have you ever practiced self-medication with OTC medicine(s)? | |
Yes | 247 (73.7) |
No | 58 (17.3) |
Do not know | 30 (9.0) |
When do you usually consume OTC medicine(s)? | |
Symptoms are minor or manageable | 226 (67.5) |
Whenever I feel sick | 194 (57.9) |
Whenever I cannot visit doctor | 212 (63.3) |
Have you experienced adverse effects from the OTC medicine(s)? | |
Yes | 33 (9.9) |
No | 245 (73.1) |
Do not know | 57 (17.0) |
Have you ever taken more than the recommended dose for the OTC medicine(s)? | |
Yes | 29 (8.7) |
No | 280 (83.6) |
Do not know | 26 (7.8) |
How often do you read the instructions on the medicine’s label before use? | |
Always | 215 (64.2) |
Often | 60 (17.9) |
Sometimes | 41 (12.2) |
Rarely | 16 (4.8) |
Never | 3 (0.9) |
How often do you check the expiry date? | |
Always | 239 (71.3) |
Often | 52 (15.5) |
Sometimes | 28 (8.4) |
Rarely | 12 (3.6) |
Never | 4 (1.2) |
How often do you store your OTC medicine(s) in a cool, dry place or as stated on the label? | |
Always | 201 (60.0) |
Often | 90 (26.9) |
Sometimes | 32 (9.6) |
Rarely | 7 (2.1) |
Never | 5 (1.5) |
If the OTC medicine showed a change in shape, colour, or odour, I would immediately discard the medicine. | |
Yes | 310 (92.5) |
No | 5 (1.5) |
Do not know | 20 (6.0) |
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. |
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Abdullah, I.S.; Chaw, L.L.; Koh, D.; Hussain, Z.; Goh, K.W.; Abdul Hamid, A.A.; Ming, L.C. Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 2658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052658
Abdullah IS, Chaw LL, Koh D, Hussain Z, Goh KW, Abdul Hamid AA, Ming LC. Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(5):2658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052658
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbdullah, Ishpa Shapiah, Li Ling Chaw, David Koh, Zahid Hussain, Khang Wen Goh, Asma A’tiyah Abdul Hamid, and Long Chiau Ming. 2022. "Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 5: 2658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052658
APA StyleAbdullah, I. S., Chaw, L. L., Koh, D., Hussain, Z., Goh, K. W., Abdul Hamid, A. A., & Ming, L. C. (2022). Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052658