Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviour of the Population of the Czech Republic to Self-Medication II. Knowledge of and Information about Drugs

Overview

A large survey carried out from June to September 2002 in the territory of the Czech Republic found and analyzed the knowledge of the population of the Czech Republic in relation to self-medication and o-t-c drugs and revealed the main problematic areas from the viewpoint of the public. The survey was particularly focused on the attitudes to the extending assortment of OTC drugs, self-medication in pregnancy, keeping drug records in pharmacies, and the introduction of basic, general advice on medicaments to the education in elementary schools. The results reveal that 36 % of respondents think that the assortment of OTC drugs should be extended. There is also a highly alarming finding that for 36 % of respondents the use of common OTC drugs during pregnancy represents a small risk and for approximately 5 % it is completely riskless. Only 19 % confirmed a great risk and 41 % do not know. Drug records have won support of 31 % of respondents, and 76 % of respondents lend support to the inclusion of instruction on medicament to school education.

Key words:
self-medication – over-the-counter drugs – attitude – risks in pregnancy