Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards the Use of Over-the-Counter Medicines: An Online Survey among Bruneian Adults amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Faiqah Batrisyia Syaza Bahrin Dzulkharnain, Naeem Shafqat, Andi Hermansyah, Ching Siang Tan, David Koh, Khang Wen Goh and Long Chiau Ming
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Faiqah Batrisyia Syaza Bahrin Dzulkharnain: PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Naeem Shafqat: PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Andi Hermansyah: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
Ching Siang Tan: School of Pharmacy, KPJ Healthcare University College, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
David Koh: PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei
Khang Wen Goh: Faculty of Data Sciences and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
Long Chiau Ming: PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Globally, self-medication has increased, where 25% of adults use OTC medicines. This research is intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding OTC medicines among adults in Brunei Darussalam. An online cross-sectional survey was performed using a questionnaire adapted from similar research conducted among students in Brunei Darussalam. A total of 364 responses were collected, where the median age of the study participants was 23 years. The mean knowledge score was 7.3 out of 9, with most respondents (77.7%) having good knowledge of OTC medicines. Almost all (92.9%) showed a positive attitude towards OTC use. A statistically significant difference ( p ≤ 0.05) was observed in attitude scores between age groups and education levels. Most of the study participants (88.2%) have practiced self-medication with OTC medicines, mainly due to their easy accessibility (79.4%). A small number practiced improper habits, such as consuming more than the recommended dose (6.0%) and not checking the expiry date (0.5%). The practice of self-medicating with OTC medicines can be advantageous when patients fully know the medications and nature of their disease. Knowledge of proper OTC medicine use among adults in Brunei Darussalam is essential to avoid improper user practices and potential health hazards associated with the misuse of medications.

Keywords: health system access; human medicine; health care; essential medicines access; medicine; health outcomes self-medication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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