Abstract
Use of Non-Prescription Medication among Students of a University in the U.A.E.
Hygeia.J.D.Med.7 (2) October 2015; 1-8
Rizah Anwar Assadi, Samiullah Shabber, Noora Kamal , Nahad Ahmed, Haneefa Farouk Mustapha, Aisha Abubakar, Arun Shirwaikar and Annie Shirwaikar*
College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE
Plan: The study aimed to assess the use, knowledge and practice of OTC medications by students of a University in the UAE
Preface: Over the Counter (OTC) drugs, also known as non-prescription medication are medications directly accessible to consumers without a physician's prescription. They are commonly used for ailments like pain, cough and cold, fever, allergies, diarrhea, constipation etc.
Methodology: A cross sectional survey using a validated self- assessment questionnaire was conducted. Data was analysed by SPSS version 20. Chi square test determined the association between the determinants.
Outcome: Of a total of 228 participants, 189 students(82.9%) reported the use of non-prescription medication. Analgesics were found to be the most consumed class of OTC medications, followed by cough and cold medications. Majority participants displayed responsible use of OTC medications.
Key words: Non-prescription, Over the Counter (OTC), Students, university, UAE
for correspondence :dr.annie@gmu.ac.ae ; shirwaikarannie@gmail.com
Researcherid: J-6280-2015
Article citation
Rizah Anwar Assadi, Samiullah Shabber , Noora Kamal , Nahad Ahmed, Haneefa Farouk Mustapha, Aisha Abubakar, Arun Shirwaikar and Annie Shirwaikar*. Use ofnon-prescription medication among students of a university in the U.A.E.Hygeia.J.D.Med.7 (2) October 2015; 1-8 Availablefrom http: //www.hygeiajournal.com / Article ID-Hygeia.J.D.Med/145/15. DOI:10.15254/H.J.D.Med.7.2015.145
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