Reporting of adverse drug reactions in primary care settings in kuwait: a comparative study of physicians and pharmacists

Objective: To investigate and compare knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pharmacovigilance [PV] and the reporting of adverse drug reactions [ADR] among physicians and pharmacists in primary care settings

Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which a validated self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 386 physicians and 197 pharmacists in 38 primary care clinics in Kuwait. Categorical variables were described using numbers and percentages. The Pearson x2 test, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used as appropriate, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: Of the 583 questionnaires distributed, 485 were completed [by 318 physicians and 167 pharmacists], giving an overall response rate of 83.2%. A total of 52.8% [n = 256] and 70.5% [n = 341] of the study participants were knowledgeable about the definitions of PV and ADR, respectively, with pharmacists demonstrating significantly better knowledge of PV [n = 105/167 vs. 151/318, i.e., 62.9 vs. 47.5%; p < 0.001] and purpose [n = 123/167 vs. 177/318, i.e., 74.1 vs. 55.7%; p < 0.001]. However, the majority [n = 434/485; 89.4%] were not aware of an ADR reporting system in Kuwait. Almost every participant [n = 474/485; 97.7%] thought it was necessary to report ADR. However, significantly fewer physicians than pharmacists [n = 248/318 vs. 147/167, i.e., 78.0 vs. 88.0%; p < 0.01) believed that ADR reporting was a professional obligation. Only 27.8% [n = 133/485] had reported ADR, with pharmacists having reported significantly fewer than physicians [n = 35/167 vs. 98/318, i.e., 21.7 vs. 30.8%; p = 0.036]

Conclusions: This study indicated that the attitude was positive but there was suboptimal knowledge and poor practice among primary care physicians and pharmacists with regard to ADR re….

Self-medication practices among diabetic patients in Kuwait

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. 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. 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]. 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

Self-reported medication use among adolescents in Kuwait

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 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.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% of medicines used were for pain relief, 54% for respiratory conditions, 39% for allergic conditions, and 37% for dermatological conditions. Twenty-two% 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