Knowledge, sources and use of over-the-counter drugs by teachers in a Nigerian urban community.

Objectives: Responsible use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs requires accurate knowledge of the drugs and when to seek professional help. The study assessed knowledge, sources and use of OTC medicines by secondary school teachers. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multistage sampling method that involved systematic sampling. Setting: Ten secondary schools in Benin City, Nigeria. Participants: Three hundred secondary school teachers who were either casual or permanent staff and who gave informed consent were included. Outcome measures: Respondents' knowledge of OTC drugs, their sources of OTC drugs, and the most commonly used OTC drugs, among the respondents. Results: Among the 300 study participants, the majority, 185 (61.7%), practised in public schools and more than a quarter, 82 (27.3%), had good knowledge of OTC drugs. Advertisement was the most frequently reported source of information 57(19.0%). Type of school (P=0.001), educational qualification (P=0.024) and reading of enclosed drug information leaflets (P=0.001) were significantly associated with level of knowledge. The major source of OTC medicines was pharmacies (158, 52.7%), and analgesics were mainly used (216, 72.0%), followed by vitamin supplements (172, 57.0%). Ability to recognise and treat minor ailments 132(44.0%,) was the major reason for OTC drug use. Conclusion: Poor knowledge of OTC medicines was common among the teachers; their major source of knowledge was advertisements, and analgesics were most used. Funding: None declared.