PREVALENCE OF MISUSE OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS AMONG POPULATIONS IN WESTERN REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA.

Abstract

This cross -sectional study measured the prevalence of misuse and awareness of Western region populations related to topical corticosteroids (TCS) use and its effects. It also compared the variation of level of awareness and use according to gender, age group and level of education. A sample of 458 participants were selected randomly where a well designed validated self study questionnaire was developed for data collection. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS Ver. 20 where both descriptive and analytical analysis was applied. Main findings included that the problem of TCS and its abuse, misuse, and minimum awareness related to adverse effects to topical drugs have been widespread in Saudi Arabia specially at the Western region of the Kingdom. The study recommended to develop a national policy on Non-Prescription Medicines (NPM) and it should be supported to limit self-medication practice among the Saudi population and to increase their awareness relevant to misuse and adverse side effects of topicalcorticosteroids. Future national studies need to explore the safety and effectiveness of using topicalcorticosteroids. Copy Right, IJAR, 2017,. All rights reserved.