1Lecturer, Himalayan College of Nursing, HIHT University, Dehradun
2Ex B. Sc. Student, Himalayan College of Nursing, HIHT University, Dehradun
*Address for Correspondence: MAHALINGAM, Himalayan College of Nursing, HIHT University, Dehradun E-mail: milkymaha2007@gmail.com
Online published on 29 November, 2017.
Over-the-counter (Nonprescription) drugs play an increasingly vital role in Indian health care system. Today, six out of every ten medications bought by consumers are OTC drugs.
Aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge on practice and opinion of using OTC drugs and to find out the association with their knowledge level and socio-demographic data.
A cross sectional survey was undertaken to assess the knowledge on practice of using Over the Counter (OTC) drugs among the study participants age group of 40–80 years in selected community area, Uttrakhand. 100 participants were selected by convenient sampling method and required data were collected from them by using structured opinionnaire.
The mean knowledge score of participants regarding knowledge on practice is 13.43 ± 2.90 which is 55. 90% mean percentage. Among each area, the highest 88.50 mean percentage was obtained in the area “Duration of using OTC drugs ”and lowest 33.80 mean percentage was obtained in the area “Ill effects and opinion”. Majority (79%) of the participants taking advices before consuming OTC drug and in that most (75.9%) of the participants take advices from pharmacist for taking an OTC drug.
It is concluded that although the general population have good knowledge regarding OTC drugs but their usage is also high. Thus people should be properly educated about the practice of self medication in order to prevent harmful effects caused by the this practice.
Over the Counter Drugs, Structured Opinionative, Knowledge on practice
