ArticleCureus2024
Public Awareness and Practice Regarding Over-the-Counter Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Self-Medication Safety Behaviours and Recognition of Pharmacological Risks: A Clinical Pharmacology Perspective.Cureus · 2026Article
- Study of Behaviors Related to Over-the-Counter Medications, in Particular Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, in the General Polish Population.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Attitudes and Behaviors of the Public Toward over the Counter (OTC) Medications in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacists toward over-the-counter medication use in Iraq: a nationwide cross-sectional study.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background Pharmaceuticals classified as over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also known as self-medications, in which drugs are sold directly to customers without a valid prescription. According to the World Health Organization, self-medication refers to taking medication for ailments that one has self-diagnosed. The public viewed OTC medications as safer, more effective, and beneficial, but misuse can lead to other health issues. Therefore, this study aimed to assess awareness and practices regarding OTC medications. Methodology The study employed a cross-sectional design involving the public residing in Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi Arabia. The study setting was primary health centers (PHCs) in Al-Ahsa. Four PHCs were chosen by the cluster sampling method. One PHC from each of the four health clusters (northern, southern, middle, and eastern) was selected and a total of 326 people were chosen by simple random sampling from those four PHCs. Data were collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and correlation analyses were used to analyze the results. Results The mean age of the participants was 38.26 ± 9.73 years. The overall mean knowledge score regarding OTC medications was 14.21 (SD = 3.3). About 39 (11.96%) of the participants had adequate knowledge, 184 (56.44%) had moderately adequate knowledge, and 103 (31.6%) had inadequate knowledge about the safety of using OTC medications. The overall mean score of practices was 20.7 ± 4.42. The chi-square test results showed a significant (p < 0.01) association between the level of knowledge and age, occupation, nationality, and marital status. Additionally, a positive linear relationship (r=+.386) was found between knowledge and practices regarding OTC medications. Conclusion In conclusion, many people in the present study had moderate knowledge and good practices regarding OTC medications. To protect the public from harm, there is an urgent need for more concrete regulatory control over OTC drugs and self-medication. So, it is recommended to create awareness about the proper use of OTC medications.
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