Department of Applied Pharmceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
Department of Applied Pharmceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan.
BMJ Open. 2024 Nov 14;14(11):e087109. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087109.
Splitting or crushing medications are used for dosage administration when a certain dose is not easily accessible. Understanding the splitting or crushing of medications is essential to guarantee safe medication administration since inappropriate handling might impact therapeutic efficacy, safety and patient outcomes.
This study intends to examine the practices, attitudes and knowledge of the Jordanian population regarding the splitting/crushing of medications.
This is a cross-sectional survey study conducted in Jordan between November 2022 and March 2023. The questionnaire tool was adapted from previous literature, and binary logistic regression analysis was used, to identify the predictors of participants' knowledge concerning medication splitting/crushing.
A total of 1259 participants from the general public were involved, without restrictions on gender or age.
Around 22.2% of participants confirmed that tablet splitting/crushing is a useful way to reduce medication costs. 67.0% reported that they are not sure whether tablets are suitable for splitting/crushing/crushing. 75.8% reported that they refer to package leaflet information to check whether tablets are suitable for splitting/crushing. 84.8% correctly believed that scored tablets can be split, while unscored tablets cannot. 72.0% identified correctly that not all types of tablets and capsules can be split/crushed or dissolved. The mean knowledge score of study participants was 2.7 (SD: 1.5) out of 6, which is equal to 45% of the maximum attainable score and reflects a weak level of knowledge about tablet crushing. Those who hold a bachelor's degree and have an income level of JD500-JD1000 (which is equal to US$715-US$1428) were more likely to have knowledge about tablet crushing. Around 39.2% of the participants reported that they had split or crushed tablets to reach their desired dose, of which the vast majority (82.9%) were using scored tablets.
Understanding of tablet-splitting and crushing techniques ought to be enhanced while encouraging prescribing practices that stress safety and well-informed decision-making. Patients should actively seek reliable sources of information, have an awareness of which tablets can be safely divided and actively engage with healthcare experts to receive appropriate guidance.
当无法获得特定剂量时，会使用分割或压碎药物来进行剂量管理。了解药物的分割或压碎对于保证安全用药至关重要，因为不当处理可能会影响治疗效果、安全性和患者结局。
本研究旨在调查约旦民众对药物分割/压碎的实践、态度和知识。
这是一项在 2022 年 11 月至 2023 年 3 月期间在约旦进行的横断面调查研究。问卷工具改编自先前的文献，使用二项逻辑回归分析来确定参与者关于药物分割/压碎知识的预测因素。
共有 1259 名来自普通公众的参与者参与，无性别或年龄限制。
约 22.2%的参与者确认片剂分割/压碎是降低药物成本的有效方法。67.0%的参与者表示他们不确定片剂是否适合分割/压碎。75.8%的参与者表示他们会参考药品说明书信息来检查片剂是否适合分割/压碎。84.8%的参与者正确认为有刻痕的片剂可以分割，而无刻痕的片剂则不能。72.0%的参与者正确识别并非所有类型的片剂和胶囊都可以分割/压碎或溶解。研究参与者的平均知识得分为 6 分中的 2.7（SD：1.5），相当于满分的 45%，反映出他们对片剂压碎的知识水平较弱。那些拥有学士学位且收入水平在 JD500-JD1000（相当于 715-1428 美元）之间的人更有可能了解片剂压碎。约 39.2%的参与者报告他们曾分割或压碎过片剂以达到所需剂量，其中绝大多数（82.9%）使用的是有刻痕的片剂。
应该加强对片剂分割和压碎技术的理解，同时鼓励强调安全和明智决策的处方实践。患者应积极寻找可靠的信息来源，了解哪些片剂可以安全分割，并积极与医疗保健专家合作以获得适当的指导。
