Short Communication
Use of over the counter medications among adolescents
Antesar M. Boshhiha, Zahia M. Boshaiha, Asraa T. Yousuf, Hanan A. Sad
Abstract
Improper use of medicines
may carry possible health dangers and more evidence continues to stand that
adverse drug reactions to medicines are common but often preventable.
Self-medication phenomena with over the counter medicines is common among
people. It is regarded as essential issue of self-care. Over the counter
medicines use such as analgesics among children and adolescents is continuously
increasing in Libya. This constitutes an important public health concern. The
aim of this study is to focus on adolescent's self-medication phenomena about
the over the counter medicines that teens frequently used to treat minor and
serious diseases. This work collected information throughout survey-comprised
number of questions for the teenagers bought medicines from private pharmacies
at two different secondary schools in Benghazi city, Libya, without
prescription. The sample size was 120 students, 58 males and 62 females in age
range of 15-18 years. Data collected from questionnaire were analyzed for
pattern of medicine use. Male adolescents bought toothache and muscle-spasm
medicines more frequently than female adolescents. On the other hand, female
adolescents administered more over the counter medications monthly than males.
The use of over the counter medicines has been found highly rated and
exaggerated among secondary school teenagers. In conclusion, adolescents have
to be educated regarding over the counter medicine use in Libya. The need for
promoting the appropriate use of medicines healthcare system is an important
issue. This can be achieved through an educational strategy involved different
public sectors such as health and education authorities.