Knowledge, attitudes, and families practices in selecting, obtaining, using, storing, and disposing of medicines on self-medication behavior in indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The irrational use of medicine in the family is a serious problem. Advances in education, economy, availability of medicines, regulations, and technology have encouraged people to self-medicate in overcoming their illness. Self-medication behavior is not only carried out by adults but also by the elderly, students, and even children. Self-medication can provide positive health benefits if done correctly starting from selecting, obtaining, using, storing, and disposing medicines. On the other hand, if self-medication measures are carried out inappropriately, they can lead to various drug-related risks. AIM: Therefore, this study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and families practice in selecting, obtaining, using, storing, and disposing medicine and to identify the factors influence of this construct. METHOD: The study was conducted using an analytical method with a cross-sectional approach using a questionnaire for families in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatera, Indonesia, namely, in 2x11 Enam Lingkung and Sungai Garingging Districts. The total sample size obtained was 500 families. Bivariate analysis was determined using Chi-squared test and multivariate analysis was determined using linear logistic regression. RESULTS: Data from current study found that the percentage of the average score of family knowledge of selecting, obtaining, using, storing, and disposing medicines was in a low category (57.53%), family attitudes were in the negative category (59.38%) and family actions were in the negative category (55.27%). The results of multivariate analysis using linear logistic regression showed that the sub-variables that influenced the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of families about medicines were pharmacists/doctors as the main source of information about drugs (p = 0.006), education in the category of secondary education (p = 0.002) and mothers as family members who had a major role in managing medicines (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The results show that knowledge, attitudes, and practice of families about medicines are still low and very limited. Factors that influence knowledge, attitudes, and practice of families selecting, obtaining, using, storing, and disposing medicine are pharmacists/doctors as the main source of information about medicine, education, and mothers as family members who have a major role in managing medicines. The lack of knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to medicines and the important role of the family is the reason for the very importance of family-based medicines education.