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ASSESSMENT OF CONSUMERS DRUG
KNOWLEDGE IN ADDIS ABABA:
CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY
Tenaw Andualem and Tsige Gebre-Mariam
School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa University (INRUD
Ethiopia); E-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
 Knowledge on drugs is an important element
in their proper use.
 Studies on adults indicate that individuals are
able to discriminate between minor and
major ailments. They take care of minor
problems on their own.
 More than 60% of the reported illnesses are
dealt with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. A
few studies indicate that adolescents gain
drug knowledge through drug consumption,
i.e., not prior to taking drugs and college
students use the frequently advertised
products.
INTRODUCTION
Continued
 Obviously, such practices may lead to
potential risks, particularly so during
self-medication.
 Drugs can be dangerous, particularly
to those who have little awareness on
the potential risks.
 One of the factors that contribute to
improper use of drugs is lack of
overall knowledge on drugs.
INTRODUCTION
Continued
Problem Statement:
Knowledge on
drugs is an important element for
proper drug use. Knowing the names
of drugs alone should not be
considered as adequate. This is
reflected in non-compliance to drugs
given and use of drugs by all age
groups, gender, disease condition and
other socio-demographic condition.
OBJECTIVES
To assess consumers drug knowledge
and the influencing factors thereof in
the sampled population of Addis
Ababa.
METHODS
Design: Cross-sectional Study
Setting: Stratified random samples of
community pharmacies were selected
as study sites. Included community
pharmacies both public and private
located at different geographical
locations of Addis Ababa City.
METHODS
Continued
Study Population:
 The study includes all drug consumers
who came for self-medication during
January to February 2004.
 A total of 1200 convenient samples of
self-medicating drug consumers were
taken for the study.
Outcome Measure(s):
 Assess level of knowledge and
perception of consumers about drugs.
RESULTS
 Respondents consisted of Sociodemographic characteristics of all age
categories of both genders; varying
educational backgrounds and occupation.
 As regards information on names of drugs,
drug consumers know not only the names
of OTC drugs but also of potent prescription
only drugs.
 Among the top 15 frequently recalled drugs,
six were antimicrobials, namely, Ampicillin,
Tetracycline, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin,
Cotrimoxazole and Chloramphenicol.
RESULTS
Continued
 Drug consumers indicated
preferences for dosage forms (96%);
the highest being for tablets (36.5%),
followed by injections (28.3%) and
liquid dosage forms (20.2%).
 Nearly half (50.4%) of drug
consumers reported they quit taking
the full course of medication before
the date advised by the health care
provider when illnesses are relieved.
Table 1: Responses of patients on various
questions testing their knowledge on drugs (Addis
Ababa, Jan-Feb, 2002).
Response
Yes (%)
95 % CI
Discontinue taking drugs before the date
advised? (n = 896)
29.8 26.8 - 32.9
Discontinue taking drugs during fasting
period? (n = 899)
13.7
11.5 - 16.1
6.1
4.7 - 8.0
Take drugs with alcohol? (n = 912)
Share drugs with others? (n = 900)
28.1 25.2 - 31.2
Check expiry dates before taking drugs? (n
= 910)
68.2 65.1 - 71.2
Know the difference between antimicrobials
and analgesics? (n = 878)
23.7 20.9 - 26.7
Table 2: Knowledge of drug interactions
of drug consumers
Type of interaction
Yes (F) %
Drug with drug
Drug with alcohol
464
781
53.4
87.4
Drug with some food
Cannot be given to children
Cannot be given to pregnant &
breast-feeding mothers
Cannot be taken by people with
chronic diseases
514
651
530
58.8
76.1
61.5
373
44.4
Table 3: The frequent reasons for discontinuation
of drugs before the date advised by the health
care provider
Reasons for discontinuation F
%
When illnesses are relieved
Believed drug is not working
When Side effects create
problems
To save for later use
Other reasons
196
65
80
50.4
16.7
20.6
41
7
10.5
1.8
Total
389
100.0
Figure 1: Dosage form preferences of drug
consumers (n = 713, Addis Ababa, Jan-Feb,
2002).
90 40
80 35
30
70 25
60 20
15
50 10
40 5
0
30
Percent Preference
36.5
20.2
10.5
East
West
North
en
ce
es
pr
ef
er
ap
su
l
s
id
ns
ec
tio
Li
qu
N
o
C
10
In
j
bl
et
s
4.5
Ta
20
28.3
0
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
Dosage Froms
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr
CONCLUSION
 Knowing the name of the drug alone
does not necessarily mean adequate
knowledge. It was evident from noncompliance on the use of drugs.
 Adequate information and counseling
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.
Research Question
 Specific research on the relationship
between drug knowledge and selfmedication; and drug knowledge,
attitude and use (KAU).
 Interventions research in the areas of
consumers knowledge of drugs.
 Preparation of Proper Drug Use
Educational materials (to the public
and to the health care providers) to
encourage proper use of drugs