Assessment Of Pattern, Practice And Wastage Of Medicine-Use Among Undergraduate Students Of Universiti Sains Malaysia
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Date
2018-01
Authors
Verma, Ashutosh Kumar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Medicines are boon when used responsibly but irresponsible uses are cause
for concern. Another health risk is associated with inappropriate drug use. This
irrational practice often associated with risk on health and economic burden. The
increase in the cost of drugs is also linked to factors such as irrational drug use and
consumer behavioural aspects that lead to wastage. Majority of drug wastage is due
to sub-consumption of medicine when consumers do not finish the medications
prescribed by their doctors. In Malaysia as reported by National Survey on Use of
Medicine (2012 and 2015), more than half of the population does not understand the
proper use of medicine where a large proportion is young and studying. Irresponsible
use of medicine and medication wastage is the major burden on the fiscally
restrained health care system at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Thus, a study was
designed intended to assess pattern, practice and wastage of medicine use among
undergraduate students. This research was divided into Phase I and Phase II. Both
phases employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Research starts with
Phase I where respondents were approached conveniently at places of public interest.
The study ended with Phase II, where selected potential respondents (students
undergoing treatment or using a pharmaceutical product(s) and/or agreed to
participate) were approached for personal interview and medicine review process at
their residences (university hostels). The calculated sample size for phase I was 925
and 272 for phase II respectively. Data were managed and analysed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) software for Windows® version 22 using
appropriate statistical test as per nature of data. In terms of medication usage, 41.2%
(n=381) preferred self-medication and 74.3% (n=687) had limited information about
medicine use.
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Keywords
Assess pattern, practice and wastage of medicine use , among undergraduate students