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: tenawandualem@hotmail.com

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.

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 2002. 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 Socio-demographic 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 Take drugs with alcohol? (n = 912) 6.1 4.7 - 8.0 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 464 53.4 Drug with alcohol 781 87.4 Drug with some food 514 58.8 Cannot be given to children 651 76.1 Cannot be given to pregnant & breast-feeding mothers 530 61.5 Cannot be taken by people with chronic diseases 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 196 50.4 Believed drug is not working 65 16.7 When Side effects create problems 80 20.6 To save for later use 41 10.5 Other reasons 7 1.8 Total 389 100.0

Figure 1: Dosage form preferences of drug consumers (n = 713, Addis Ababa, Jan-Feb, 2002).

CONCLUSION Knowing the name of the drug alone does not necessarily mean adequate knowledge. It was evident from non-compliance 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 self-medication; 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