Patient Knowledge, Attitudes, and Expectation Regarding Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: A Survey Based Study in Tehran Community Pharmacies
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Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to evaluate patient knowledge, attitudes, and expectations concerning over-the-counter (OTC) medications and to investigate the impact of demographic characteristics on patients’ choices when buying these medications. Gaining insight into these elements is essential for encouraging the safe use of OTC drugs and mitigating the potential dangers linked to their improper use or misinterpretation.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated Tehran community pharmacies between April 2022 and March 2023. A validated 25-item questionnaire was distributed to 384 participants, resulting in 306 complete responses for analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Pearson correlation (r), independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
Results: In a study investigating OTC medication information, pharmacists were identified as the leading source for most participants (71.6%). The research revealed moderate mean scores for participant knowledge (3.3 ± 0.6) and attitudes (3.3 ± 0.5), while relatively high expectations (3.8 ± 0.7). Further analysis indicated a significant association between a participant’s education level and their knowledge (P = 0.001) and expectations (P = 0.022) concerning OTC medications. Participants aged 45 and older demonstrated significantly higher expectations (P = 0.015). However, no significant differences were observed in knowledge or attitudes based on gender, the presence of chronic illness, or regular medication use.
Conclusion: These results highlight significant knowledge deficits, especially concerning the appropriate dosage and administration of medications, even though pharmacists are the primary source of such information. Consequently, there is a clear need for public health education campaigns specifically designed for older adults and individuals with lower levels of education. Furthermore, pharmacist-led interventions should be enhanced to better reconcile patient expectations with evidence-based pharmaceutical practices.
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| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 13, No 2 (Spring 2025) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/jpc.v13i2.19309 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Knowledge Attitude Expectation Nonprescription Drugs Pharmacy | ||
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