Jose Jimmy, Chong David, Lynn Tay Szu, Jye Goh Ee, Jimmy Beena
School of Pharmacy, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Int J Pharm Pract. 2011 Aug;19(4):246-52. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7174.2011.00113.x. Epub 2011 Apr 15.
The aim of the study was to explore, in the Malaysian general population: knowledge and beliefs of the characteristics in general of medication-related side effects and side effects associated with different types of medicines; behaviour related to the safe use of drugs before and after taking a medication; and behaviour in the event of a medication-related side effect.
A 24-item self-administered questionnaire was developed and used to survey the general public living or working in suburban Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Eight hundred questionnaires were distributed, face to face, by researchers using quota sampling. Respondents' knowledge, belief and behaviour were analysed and correlated with demographics, medical history and experience of side effects.
Six hundred and ten respondents completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 76.3%. The mean knowledge score for the respondents was 18.4±3.6 out of the maximum possible score of 26. Educational level and experience of side effect had an influence on the knowledge score obtained. Respondents had misconceptions regarding the safety of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and over-the-counter medications. Medication history and previous experience with side effects had a significant influence on the higher behaviour score obtained.
The survey has shown moderate results with regard to the knowledge of public regarding safety of medications, and there was evidence of under-estimating the risk of medications, especially CAMs. The misconceptions among the public, and inappropriate behaviour on drug safety-related aspects, is a concern which needs to be addressed in the interventions designed.
本研究旨在探究马来西亚普通人群中：对药物相关副作用及不同类型药物相关副作用总体特征的知识和信念；用药前后与安全用药相关的行为；以及出现药物相关副作用时的行为。
编制了一份包含24个条目的自填式问卷，用于调查在马来西亚吉隆坡郊区生活或工作的普通民众。研究人员采用配额抽样的方法，面对面发放了800份问卷。对受访者的知识、信念和行为进行了分析，并与人口统计学、病史和副作用经历进行了关联。
610名受访者完成了问卷，回复率为76.3%。受访者的平均知识得分在满分为26分的情况下为18.4±3.6分。教育水平和副作用经历对获得的知识得分有影响。受访者对补充和替代药物（CAMs）及非处方药的安全性存在误解。用药史和既往副作用经历对获得的更高行为得分有显著影响。
该调查显示，公众对药物安全性的知识掌握情况中等，且有证据表明对药物风险估计不足，尤其是对补充和替代药物。公众中的误解以及在药物安全相关方面的不当行为是一个需要在设计的干预措施中加以解决的问题。
