SELF-MEDICATION WITH OTC DRUGS DURING THE FLU OR INFLUENZA AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF WARSAW. SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF DANGERS GENERATED BY INAPPROPRIATE TREATMENT

摘要

Self-medication is becoming an increasingly common means of treatment among Polish patients thus it comes as no surprise that patients also choose this way of treatment during the flu or influenza. The aim of the study is to investigate the methods of flu and influenza treatment across patients within the Warsaw agglomeration, and to probe their awareness of the dangers entailed by the treatment. Furthermore, it will he determined whether the responses provided differ among patients depending on gender, age or educational level. To achieve this goal, an original questionnaire was created and responses to it were collected between November and December 2015. The results presented in the paper revealed first of all that over a half (51%) of the respondents declared taking medicines for the symptoms of flu and influenza only 1 to 2 times a year. Responses to the next questions showed which criteria (such as e.g., price, taste, effectiveness, safety) influence the patients' decision on which drug to choose. Potential consultation with a health care professional was also within the scope of the questionnaire. Unfortunately, only 18.8% and 30.1% of respondents, respectively. declared having consulted a doctor or pharmacist before taking a medicine. At the same time, even if a consultation did in fact take place, not all important questions in terms of treatment safety were asked during those - as per the respondents' declarations. Safe treatment is treatment supported by knowledge. but respondents not only fail to consult their treatment with healthcare professionals; only 36.0% of them declared that they always read the patient information leaflet. Moreover, compliance with the length of therapy, maximum daily dosage to be taken and appropriate time intervals between dosages were declared as 66.1, 83.9% and 75.3%, respectively. All of the above findings point to an urgent need for better understanding of the dangers entailed by treatment of flu and influenza symptoms.