KUMJ | VOL. 17 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 66 | APRIL-JUNE 2019
Perception about Medicines among the General Public in the Semi-rural Areas of Nepal
Sapkota B, Rauniyar D, Shankar PR, Gupta GK, Thapa RK
Abstract: Background
Patients’ perceptions and beliefs about medicine are affected by their culture,
tradition, socioeconomic status, peer influence, educational level, advertisements
among other factors.
Objective
To explore the perception about medicines among the general public in different
semi-rural areas of Nepal.
Method
Cross-sectional study was conducted at different locations within Kathmandu valley
from July 2015 to December 2016; 385 individuals were approached using simple
random sampling but only 260, aged 18 years and above, who were taking medicines
for their health problems, completed the interviewer-administered survey. Their
perceptions about medicines were studied using a structured questionnaire based
on the WHO booklet “How to investigate the use of medicines by consumers” and
analysed using SPSS version 22. Association between respondents’ age, gender,
education level and perception were statistically analysed using χ
test and/or
Fisher’s exact test and multivariate analysis of variance.
Result
Sixty-one respondents (23.5%) were in age group 56-65 years. Patients’ perceptions
of medicine safety based on colour, shape, name of medicine, method of
administration, compatibility, etc. was statistically different among respondents with
regard to their level of education (p = 0.022). More individuals with lower education
believed that expensive medicines were more effective (p < 0.001). Increased level
of education made them more aware of negative consequences of reusing previous
prescriptions (p=0.039).
Conclusion
Problems with knowledge about medicines were noted among lesser educated
individuals. Based on findings, policy makers may develop educational strategies to
increase awareness about medicines.
Keyword : Belief, Education level, Medicine, Perception
