Adolescents' knowledge and perception of medicine risk.

BACKGROUND

Adolescents often start to use medicines independently without having sufficient knowledge or previous experience, which can lead to the inappropriate use of medicines.

METHODS

Adolescents' knowledge of medicines, perception of their effectiveness, risk of the medicines and a possible association between these terms and health status, age and gender were studied. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 13-18-year-old adolescents in secondary school.

RESULTS

There were differences in adolescents' knowledge, attitude and perception of risk of medicines related to their age, gender and, to a lesser extent, health status. Chronically ill adolescents had better knowledge about allergy medicines according to the mean score of a 5-point Likert scale (1, strongly agree; 5, strongly disagree; 2.30 vs 2.51, P = 0.005) and they agreed to a lesser extent than healthy adolescents that rescription medicines improve their health (2.21 vs 2.05, P = 0.034). Medicine knowledge differed significantly with age (P < 0.001). Older adolescents (16-18 years old) were more knowledgeable about medicines (1.33-3.04 vs 1.64-3.71, P < 0.05) and they agreed to a lesser extent than younger adolescents (2.11-4.03 vs 1.86-3.56, P < 0.05) with statements that prescription medicines are effective and safe. Girls were more knowledgeable than boys (1.43-3.04 vs 1.64-3.14, P < 0.05) and preferred to discuss medicines with their parents.

CONCLUSION

The level of knowledge and the perception of medicine risk are associated with the health status, age and gender of adolescents, and health-care professionals need to be aware of this when educating adolescents.