2. 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);

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. OBJECTIVES
To assess consumers drug knowledge and the influencing factors thereof in the sampled population of Addis Ababa.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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
Discontinue taking drugs during fasting period? (n = 899)
13.7
Take drugs with alcohol? (n = 912)
6.1
Share drugs with others? (n = 900)
28.1
Check expiry dates before taking drugs? (n = 910)
68.2
Know the difference between antimicrobials and analgesics? (n = 878)
23.7

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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.

16. 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