Evaluating Awareness, Perceptions and Practices Regarding Medication Errors in General Public for Achieving Medication Safety. A Questionnaire-Based Survey
Lavanya S H1*
and Kalpana L2 Department of Pharmacology, BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore-560060, Karnataka, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail:lavanyasumanthraj@gmail.com
Abstract: Context: Medication errors are a serious threat to patient’s safety. General public are important stakeholders in ensuring medication safety. However, majority are not well-informed about safe use of medicines. Aims: To evaluate knowledge, perception and practices of general public regarding medication errors and to create awareness about ‘Responsible Use of Medicines’ to achieve medication safety. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive, questionnaire-based study that utilized an electronic-survey form to gather information from respondents. The pre-validated questionnaire included various sections to elicit responses regarding demographic details, knowledge, perceptions and practices of general population regarding medication use and safety on a three-point scale, was circulated on social media platforms. On study completion, an awareness video & educational e-booklet based on WHO’s ‘Medication Without Harm’ guidelines were circulated. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics used. Categorical-data was represented in the form of frequencies and proportions. Results: Majority (43.2%) of participants belonged to 31-40 years age-group and 51.5% had Master’s degree. Around 76.2% were aware of the serious implications of medication errors and 69.6% felt that these could be prevented. Approximately >60% believed that healthcare professionals were responsible for medication errors. Majority had safe medication usage practices like informing doctors about other medications, enquiring about drug dosage, proper route, side effects and checking for expiry date. The most common errors committed included not taking prescribed drugs (52%), inappropriate method (25%), incomplete course (19.3%) and wrong dose (7.9%). Conclusions: Ensuring medication safety is the cornerstone of prudent medical care. Creating awareness among patients, public & caregivers holds the key for minimizing medication-errors.
Keywords: Awareness; General Public; Medication errors; Medication safety; Perceptions; Practices Back to TOC