Alharthi Mohammed S, Alsulami Fahad T, Fathelrahman Ahmed Ibrahim, Alqarni Majed A, Alorfi Nasser M, Alzahrani Mohammed S
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Feb 21;13(5):472. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13050472.
Over the counter (OTC) medications are readily accessible to the public and can be obtained without a prescription for self-care. Ensuring their safe and effective use is essential to safeguarding the well-being of the region's diverse population. This research explores public attitudes and behaviors toward OTC medications in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia in order to inform and advance public health initiatives. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire was used to survey 200 respondents. The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The demographic-OTC medication purchase relationship was examined using the chi-square test. Among the 200 participants, 79.5% were aware of potential drug interactions, and 74% supported stricter regulations on OTC sales. However, only 29.5% believed OTC medications are generally safe without a doctor's prescription. Notably, 15.5% reported exceeding recommended dosages, and 66% admitted sharing medications. Participants commonly relied on healthcare professionals for advice (64.6%). Despite moderate knowledge, many exhibited risky behaviors, highlighting gaps in consumer awareness and safety practices. It is critical to determine the degree of public knowledge in this field in order to identify gaps in consumer awareness of OTC medications and specific areas that may demand targeted educational programs in Saudi Arabia. Information on potential side effects and circumstances that exclude the use of over the counter medications must also be examined. Attitudes towards symptom management and a tendency for self-medication may influence the use of OTC as an alternative to seeking medical advice.
非处方（OTC）药物公众很容易获得，无需处方即可购买用于自我护理。确保其安全有效使用对于保障该地区多样化人口的健康至关重要。本研究探讨沙特阿拉伯西部地区公众对非处方药物的态度和行为，以便为公共卫生举措提供信息并推动其发展。 这项横断面研究在沙特阿拉伯西部地区进行。使用经过验证的问卷对200名受访者进行了调查。使用频率和百分比对收集到的数据进行了分析。使用卡方检验检查人口统计学与非处方药物购买之间的关系。 在200名参与者中，79.5%的人 aware of潜在药物相互作用，74%的人支持对非处方药物销售实行更严格的监管。然而，只有29.5%的人认为非处方药物在没有医生处方的情况下通常是安全的。值得注意的是，15.5%的人报告超过了推荐剂量，66%的人承认分享药物。参与者通常依赖医疗保健专业人员提供建议（64.6%）。尽管有一定的知识，但许多人表现出危险行为，凸显了消费者意识和安全做法方面的差距。 在沙特阿拉伯，确定该领域的公众知识程度至关重要，以便找出消费者对非处方药物的认识差距以及可能需要有针对性教育项目的特定领域。还必须研究有关潜在副作用和排除使用非处方药物情况的信息。对症状管理的态度和自我用药的倾向可能会影响非处方药物作为寻求医疗建议替代方法的使用。
