engleski

Content of home pharmacies and self-medication practices in households of pharmacy and medical students in Zagreb, Croatia: findings in 2001 with a reference to 1977.

Aim. To evaluate the content of household drug supplies and self-medication practice in a sample of medical and pharmacy students in Zagreb in 2001 and to relate the findings to a previous survey (1976). Methods. A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire-based survey included 287 students who inventoried drug supplies in their family households and interviewed the household members on drug keeping and self-medication practice. Results. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) were present in 37% of the households. At least one drug was found in all households. Drugs were mostly (68% households) kept at a designated place ("home pharmacy"). Drugs past expiry dates and/or with purpose unknown to the household members were found in 27% of the households. The most frequently found drugs were NSAIDs (97% households) followed by antibiotics (46% households). Where found, NSAIDs ("prototype" OTC drugs) were almost exclusively self-medicated (self-medication practiced in 88% of the households), while self-medication of antibiotics ("prototype" prescription drugs) was practiced in 34% of the household in which they were found. Self-medication of antibiotics was associated with the presence of HCPs among the household members. The results are fully comparable to the results of the survey conducted in 1976 using identical methodology and an identically defined sample. Conclusion. Accumulation of drugs (even past expiry dates and/or of unknown purpose) was commonly seen in the surveyed households. An important feature of self-medication was a rather "liberal" attitude and practice of self-medication of prescription drugs. No major difference in this respect was observed between the 2001 and 1976 surveys.

home pharmacy; prescription drugs; OTC drugs; self-medication

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