Self-medication practices among diabetic patients in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with proprietary medicines and/or herbs among diabetic patients and evaluate factors associated with self-medication among diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 104 diabetic patients were selected randomly from eight diabetic clinics from three governorates. Data were collected via face-to-face structured interview of the respondents in the clinics using a developed and piloted questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 96.2%. Seventy-four percent of the study participants reported that they seek medical consultation when they get an illness, 92% indicated that they know that the use of medicines and/or herbs to treat an illness without a medical consultation can be harmful. Only 13% of the respondents reported that they had used medicine or herbs without medical consultation to treat an illness within the previous 2 months of the study period. Nine percent of the study population reported that they used herbs to treat diabetes, and 2% used them for other illness. Only two (2%) indicated that they used medicines, which were analgesics, diet pills and vitamins. There was no significant association between self-medication with medicines or herbs and the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication with medicines, including herbs, among diabetic patients in Kuwait is low. Enforcement of a strict prescription policy and coverage of medical consultation and treatment by health insurance may have contributed to low self-medication practices among diabetic patients.

Pharmacists’ attitudes and awareness towards the use and safety of herbs in Kuwait

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes among pharmacists in Kuwait towards the use of herbs. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire was designed as the study instrument and distributed among 100 qualified pharmacists working in government and private pharmacies in Kuwait. Results: The mean age was 34.2 (SD=7.5) years. About 51% of pharmacists reported they had used herbal therapy in their lifetime. The majority were interested in herbal information, and their herbal information came mainly from their previous classes during college. Although the pharmacists' knowledge about uses of selected herbs was good, their awareness about side effects of those herbs was modest. About 31% of the pharmacists did not have enough information about potential interactions between herbs and conventional medicines. Conclusion: Herbal information is needed for pharmacy students as part of the Pharmacy College curriculum. Continuing education programs for practising pharmacists about the safety of different herbal products should be established in Kuwait (AU)

Objetivos: El propósito de este estudio fue investigar el conocimiento y actitudes entre los farmacéuticos en Kuwait hacia el uso de plantas medicinales. Métodos: Se diseñó un cuestionario auto-administrado como instrumento para el estudio y se distribuyó entre 100 farmacéuticos cualificados que trabajan en farmacias privadas y gubernamentales de Kuwait. Resultados: La edad media fue de 34,2 (DE=7,5) años. Alrededor del 51% de los farmacéuticos comunicaron que habían usado plantas medicinales en su vida. La mayoría estaban interesados en la información sobre plantas medicinales, y su información sobre ellas venía principalmente de la enseñanza en la Universidad. Aunque el conocimiento de los farmacéuticos sobre los usos de las plantas seleccionadas era bueno, su conciencia sobre los efectos adversos era modesta. Alrededor del 31% de los farmacéuticos no tenía suficiente información sobre las posibles interacciones entre las plantas medicinales y los medicamentos convencionales. Conclusión: Se necesita información de plantas medicinales para los estudiantes de farmacia como parte del currículo de la facultad de Farmacia. Deberían establecerse en Kuwait programas de formación continuada para farmacéuticos en ejercicio sobre la seguridad de las diferentes plantas medicinales (AU)

Pharmacists' attitudes and awareness towards the use and safety of herbs in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes among pharmacists in Kuwait towards the use of herbs. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaire was designed as the study instrument and distributed among 100 qualified pharmacists working in government and private pharmacies in Kuwait. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.2 (SD=7.5) years. About 51% of pharmacists reported they had used herbal therapy in their lifetime. The majority were interested in herbal information, and their herbal information came mainly from their previous classes during college. Although the pharmacists' knowledge about uses of selected herbs was good, their awareness about side effects of those herbs was modest. About 31% of the pharmacists did not have enough information about potential interactions between herbs and conventional medicines. CONCLUSION: Herbal information is needed for pharmacy students as part of the Pharmacy College curriculum. Continuing education programs for practising pharmacists about the safety of different herbal products should be established in Kuwait.

Self-reported medication use among adolescents in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe and examine the pattern of medication use, including age and gender differences among adolescents in Kuwait, and to establish the sources of information on medicines in this age group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1,110 male and female students (14-21 years) from 10 randomly selected public schools in Kuwait was conducted. The prevalence of self-medication was estimated. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication among the high school students was 92%. The prevalence increased by age from 87% among 14-year-olds to 95% among 18-year-olds. Sixty-five percent of medicines used were for pain relief, 54% for respiratory conditions, 39% for allergic conditions, and 37% for dermatological conditions. Twenty-two percent of medicines were nutritional supplements and vitamins, 21% gastrointestinal products, 17% antidandruff products, 15% hair products, 13% for migraine while 8% were for athlete's foot. Pain relief, respiratory, dermatologic and hair products were more prevalent in female adolescents than in male while antidandruff and athlete's foot preparations were used more by male adolescents. The most common sources of information on medicines were parents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication among adolescents in Kuwait is high. Self-medication tended to increase with age and differed between male and female students. Few students consulted pharmacists for information on drugs. There is need to promote the image of the pharmacist in Kuwait as a provider of medication information.