Consumer Awareness, Attitude, and Behavior Related to the Rational Use of Medicines in a Developing Country Context: The Case of Turkey

Authors

  • Dilaver Tengilimoğlu Department of Management, Faculty of Management, Atilim University, Ankara, Turkey
  • Perihan Şenel Tekin Vocational School of Health Services, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
  • Aysu Zekioğlu Department of Healthcare Management, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
  • Turkan Dursun Kılıç Department of Management, West Texas A&M University, Texas, U.S.A.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.3912

Keywords:

Customer behavior, Electronic prescription, Medicine utilization, Side effect, Prescription

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The high cost of medicines continues to be a major problem in health care.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of consumers with regard to the rational use of medicine (RUM) in a developing country context.

METHODS: The study was designed as descriptive cross-sectional research. The survey was conducted in the two major cities of Turkey, namely, Ankara and Edirne, whose populations well-represent the socio-economic characteristics of the overall Turkish population between January and March 2016. A total of 2267 individuals participated in the survey. The survey consisted of 37 questions which included statements about various socio-demographic factors and the RUM. Frequencies and percentages were used for the presentation of qualitative data while cross-tabulations and Chi-square tests were utilized for the investigation of the relationships among research variables.

RESULTS: According to the findings, 54.7% of participants stated that they request medicine not related to their illness be added to the prescription; only 24.7% of them have heard the term “rational use of medicine.” The distribution of the responses related to handling unused medicines was significant for educational level (p = 0.010; α = 0.05). At the same time, high school and university graduates are also more likely to take medicines in accordance with doctor’s advice compare to the other groups.

CONCLUSION: Our study results indicate that consumer awareness of the RUMs is at a low level and more effective consumer awareness campaigns are needed on this issue.

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Published

2020-04-23

How to Cite

1.
Tengilimoğlu D, Tekin P Şenel, Zekioğlu A, Kılıç TD. Consumer Awareness, Attitude, and Behavior Related to the Rational Use of Medicines in a Developing Country Context: The Case of Turkey. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2020 Apr. 23 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];8(E):162-71. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/3912

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