The awareness of the Jordanian population about OTC medications: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Due to the shortage of literature related to the safe use of over‐the‐counter (OTC) products by patients worldwide, the aim of this study was to evaluate people's knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of OTC products in Jordan. Using an internet‐based questionnaire mainly spread through social media platforms, a descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted with Jordanian candidates who consume OTC products. A total of 274 OTC product users answered the survey questions. The results showed that analgesics were the most commonly used OTC products among the participants (50.4%). The majority used the OTC products only as needed rather than on a regular basis. Only 42.4% of the participants sought a pharmacist's help in determining the dose of the OTC medicine. Most of the participants were very interested in reading a patient information leaflet (80.3%) and the side effects and contraindications (89.5%). The majority of participants agreed that antibiotics have to be prescribed (68.5%), and anti‐allergy medications should not be used as sleep aid medications (75.0%). About 53.4% thought that OTCs are sometimes enough to treat their health conditions without the need to follow‐up with a physician. A chi‐square analysis showed an association between gender, age, educational level and having a family member in the medical field and OTC products knowledge among Jordanians. Females, for example, were more interested in reading leaflet, checking production and expiry dates, knowing adverse effects, and appropriate storage conditions (P < .001, 0.022, 0.003, 0.007, respectively). We concluded that a good level of knowledge on the use of OTC products among the study population was identified in the present study.

Over-the-Counter Medicine Attitudes and Knowledge among University and College Students in Brunei Darussalam: Findings from the First National Survey

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Association Between Inappropriate Use of Over-The-Counter Drugs for Allergic Rhinitis and Side Effects on the Central Nervous system—a Cross-Sectional Survey

“…In previous studies, about half of the users thought that nasal drops that had been opened for more than one month should not be used. 31 It is considered unfavorable from a hygiene point of view to use nasal drops that have been opened for a long period of time.…”

Self-medication in Chinese residents and the related factors of whether or not they would take suggestions from medical staff as an important consideration during self-medication

“…Most of the antimicrobials in OTC drugs were topical antimicrobials (e.g., erythromycin ointment), which can be used for skin infections (e.g., abscess sores) and diseases (e.g., periodontitis). People with chronic illnesses were more inclined to purchase this type of medicine, and the demand for OTC antimicrobials is higher in this group ( 87 ). People with permanent residence in towns and cities were more likely to buy antimicrobials, as this type of resident has more opportunities to buy ( 88 ), given a large number of widely distributed pharmacies in towns and cities ( 89 ).…”