Chemotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Chemotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects, drugs. | ||||||||
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Self-reported medication use among adolescents in Kuwait.Abahussain E, Matowe LK, Nicholls PJ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe and examine the pattern of medication use, including age and gender differences among adolescents in Kuwait, and to establish the sources of information on medicines in this age group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1,110 male and female students (14-21 years) from 10 randomly selected public schools in Kuwait was conducted.The prevalence of self-medication was estimated. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication among the high school students was 92%. The prevalence increased by age from 87% among 14-year-olds to 95% among 18-year-olds. Sixty-five percent of medicines used were for pain relief, 54% for respiratory conditions, 39% for allergic conditions, and 37% for dermatological conditions. Twenty-two percent of medicines were nutritional supplements and vitamins, 21% gastrointestinal products, 17% antidandruff products, 15% hair products, 13% for migraine while 8% were for athlete's foot. Pain relief, respiratory, dermatologic and hair products were more prevalent in female adolescents than in male while antidandruff and athlete's foot preparations were used more by male adolescents. The most common sources of information on medicines were parents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication among adolescents in Kuwait is high. Self-medication tended to increase with age and differed between male and female students. Few students consulted pharmacists for information on drugs. There is need to promote the image of the pharmacist in Kuwait as a provider of medication information. Published 2 May 2005 in Med Princ Pract, 14(3): 161-4.
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