Jul-Sep, 2012 - Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice

Indian Journal of Pharmacy PracticeAssociation of Pharmaceutical Teachers of IndiaAssessment of Knowledge Perception and Attitudes on Medications in GeneralPopulationAishwaryalakshmi K*, Sasikala B, Sreelalitha N, Vigneshwaran E and Padmanabha YRDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Raghavendra institute of pharmaceutical education and research, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.A B S T R A C TSubmitted: 04/05/2012Accepted: 24/06/2012Modern medicines have changed the way in which diseases are managed and controlled. Despite all their benefits, evidence continues to mountthat adverse reactions to medicines are common, yet often preventable, cause of illness, disability and even death. The objective of the presentstudy was to explore the perceptions and knowledge regarding ideas about the medication and as well as adherence in general population. Aquestionnaire was developed to assess both attitudes towards medications as well as self-medication. Our study found that the patients whoreceived family assistance in managing their medications often lacked an understanding of some of their own treatments. Most of therespondents have taken medications from the pharmacists only, which shows there is greater chance and opportunity for the pharmacists inguiding and providing proper education to the patients.INTRODUCTIONMedicine is considered as one of the most important necessityto all of us. Modern medicines have changed the way in whichdiseases are managed and controlled. Improper use ofmedicines brings potential health hazards. Despite all theirbenefits, evidence continues to mount that adverse reactionsto medicines are common, yet often preventable, cause ofillness, disability and even death. Hence, public knowledge,attitudes and practices regarding the use of medicinesinfluence the decision to seek health care, the use ofmedicines and ultimately the success of the treatment.Prescription of medicine is almost wide spread of medicalinterventions which always lie at the heart of clinical practice.Although there is an extensive literature on patients'adherence to medication, much less attention has been paid to1their ideas about medication. Knowledge Attitude Practice(KAP) Studies tells us what people know about certain things,2how they feel and also how they behave. Patient perceptionstowards medications might be important in a number of3ways. Patient education also plays a critical role infacilitating patients' acceptance of their diagnosis andunderstanding behavioral changes required for active4participation in treatment. Educational status is an importantdeterminant of self-medication. The problem of educatinglow-literate patients cannot be ignored. The JointAddress for Correspondence:K. Aishwaryalakshmi, Department of Pharmacy Practice, RaghavendraInstitute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research,Anantapur,AndhraPradesh, India.E-mail: vickku_e@yahoo.com.sgCommission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizationsmandated that hospitals and other health organizationsprovide instructions understandable to patients, assess4patients' knowledge, and document such educational effort.Patients with lower educational level might have more trust in5physicians' advice. Patient knowledge of drug therapy anddisease still remains poor and patient's memory ofinstructions given by physician is poor, since 50% of theinformation will be forgotten immediately. Lack ofcommunication and lack of patient uptake of information mayaccount for the marked up to 55% patient deviation from6prescribed drugs. The concept of self-medication whichencourages an individual to look after minor ailments with7simple and effective remedies has been adopted worldwide.Unsupervised self-medication places patients at risk formedication misuse. Patient self-medication may alsounwittingly generate dangerous drug–drug and drug–disease8interactions. This practice will be observed in societies with7high-level literacy. The objective of the present study was toexplore the perceptions and knowledge regarding ideas aboutthe medication and as well as adherence in generalpopulation.METHODOLOGYA questionnaire was developed after extensive literaturereview on the studies focusing on knowledge and perceptionstowards medications. We aimed to include statementsassessing both attitudes towards medications as well as selfmedication.The questionnaire was slightly modifiedaccording to the need of this particular population.Respondents were explained about the study and oral consentwas obtained from each and every participant. IndividualsIndian Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume 5 Issue 3 Jul - Sep, 2012 75