Association between Understanding Proper Use of Over-the-counter Cold Medicines and Choosing Source of Information when Purchasing these Medicines / 社会薬学

We explored the association between understanding a proper use of over-the-counter cold medicines and a choice of information source to purchase such medicines. We conducted an internet survey in March 2011 regarding false perceptions about cold medicines as well as understanding of package inserts. Respondents (20〜69 years old)to the main survey were individuals who purchased cold medicines based on TV commercials (CM group) and those who purchased these medications in consultation with pharmacists (consultation group). We surveyed 121 and 159 respondents in the CM and consultation groups, respectively. We calculated the principal component scores for false perceptions of cold medicines and the respondents’ understanding of the package inserts. The median scores were 0.20 (CM group) and -0.08 (consultation group) false perceptions, and -0.18 (CM group) and 0.15 (consultation group) for understanding. The Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>-test revealed that the CM group had more misconceptions regarding cold medicines compared with the consultation group (<i>P</i><0.001). Furthermore, the consultation group acquired greater understanding of the package inserts than the reference CM group (<i>P</i>＝0.005). These results suggest an association between understanding the proper use of over-the-counter cold medicines and choice sources of information on purchasing these medicines. They further suggest that a lack of knowledge or understanding of cold medicines does not lead to consultations with a pharmacist about the purchase.

Investigation on the Effect of Drugstore Salesclerk Factors on the Consumers'Drug Purchasing Behavior in Beijing Citizens / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of salesclerk factors on the consumers'purchasing behavior in drugstores in Beijing citizens,and provide reference for better satisfaction of consumers'requirements. METHODS:Clustering random sampling method was launched among the drugstore consumers in 16 districts of Beijing,the results were statistically analyzed,and then the suggestions were provided. RESULTS:Totally 180 valid questionnaires were collected from the 208 questionnaires with effective re-covery rate of 86.5%. 70.6% consumers preferred the salesclerk to ask actively when they entered a drugstore;moderate depen-dence on the salesclerk was found mainly in the aspect ofmedicine selection,medication methods guidingandhelping disease judgment;moderate trust to the salesclerk was found,andthe poor professional knowledge,poor service attitudeandpoor professional ethicswere the main reasons for the distrust;the professional moralandknowledgeof salesclerks were the most-ly expected qualities;the licensed pharmacist in the drugstore was not recognized by 66.1% consumers. CONCLUSIONS:Drug-store should understand the consumer's expectations and requirements to its salesclerk and improve accordingly in the respect of strengthening the train of professional quality,enhancing the ability of pharmaceutical care,increasing the propaganda of licensed pharmacist,conducting medication consultation actively,exploring the diversity of consumer's requirements,and meeting the con-sumer's requirements more extensively.

Study on purchase and intake patterns of individuals consuming dietary formula for weight control or health/functional foods

In our previous work, we reported consumers' perceptions of body shape and weight control. In an ongoing effort, we analyzed the purchasing behavior, intake patterns, future purchasing decisions, and degree of satisfaction in individuals consuming dietary formula for weight control (DF) or heath/functional foods (HFFs) by using the same survey questions. Portfolio analysis for marketing strategy was also investigated. Subjects were divided into two groups according to consumption of DF or HFF during the previous year : DF group (n = 89) and HFF group (n = 110). Average intake frequency was 1.7 +/- 0.7 per day for HFFs and 1.5 +/- 0.9 per day for the DF, and the most prevalent form was pill (58.2%) for HFFs and bar (42.7%) for DF. Duration of intake was 3.1 +/- 2.3 months for HFFs versus 3.9 +/- 3.5 months for DF. The average degree of satisfaction was 3.6 +/- 0.6 on a 5-point scale, meaning 'relatively satisfied'. For the weight control method to be used in the future, 44.5% of the HFF group selected 'HFFs' while 47.2% of the DF group selected 'DF', showing a tendency to use the current product type in the future. The average planned period for the intake was 3.8 +/- 3.7 months for HFFs and 3.0 +/- 2.4 months for DF (p < 0.05). The HFF group emphasized efficacy, functional ingredients of the products, reliable products, and higher satisfaction, whereas the DF group emphasized the added materials in addition to weight control effects.

Housewives' Behavior of Purchasing Special Eggs and Cooking Patterns of Eggs in Kyunggi-do and Inchon / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the purchase of special and cooking patterns of eggs. This survey was carried out through questionnaire and the subjects were 435 housewives whose children were middle or high school students in Kyunggi-do and Inchon. The results are summarized as follows : 1) As for age, 66.4% of subjects were 40 years or older. Also 57.1% of subjects received a high school education. As for occuption, full-time housewives accounted for 60.5%. Monthly family income of 39.1 % was 1-2 million won. As for monthly cost of food, 51.7% of subjects paid less than 500 thousand won. Also 40.2% of subjects lived in apartments. 2)Most housewives knew about the sale of special eggs. However, they perceived that the price of special eggs was expensive. 3) The higher their age, education level. household income and food cost, were, the more frequent their purchase of special eggs was. 4) The reason for their purchasing special eggs was in order of nutrition and freshness. 5) Most housewives didn't trust the brands of special eggs. 6) The most popular method of cooking eggs was fried-eggs. Therefore, it is necessary to provide cheap, fresh and nutritious special eggs.