[The knowledge and attitude of consumers in relation to the use of NSAIDs. An intervention study]. / Conocimientos y actitud de los usuarios en relación al empleo de AINE. Estudio de intervención.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate knowledge in the general population about the rational use of non-steroidal analgesic-antithermal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and whether an informative intervention could improve their knowledge. DESIGN: An intervention study with a control group. The subjects were polled before and after intervention, which consisted in the passive distribution of informative leaflets on NSAIDs to the experimental group. The replies of the subjects of both groups were compared. SETTING: "Cerro del Aguila" (experimental group) and "Polígono Norte" (control) health districts in Sevilla. PARTICIPANTS: 348 inhabitants (174 from each district), selected for age and sex in line with the proportions on the Municipal Roll, with people under 15 excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: About 30% did not spontaneously remember any NSAID. Almost 90% did not spontaneously remember any medical reaction. Self-medication and/or consumption on the advice of non-qualified people were as common as medical prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Passive distribution of leaflets was useless as a way of improving users' knowledge of NSAIDs. The intervention needs to be actively carried out by the doctor, with consistency over time and back-up from other health educationalists.

[User knowledge and attitude in relation to drug use for pain, fever or inflammation]. / Conocimientos y actitud de los usuarios en relación al empleo de medicamentos para el dolor, la fiebre o la inflamación.

OBJECTIVE: To find how users identified non-steroidal analgesic/antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and their adverse reactions, as well as where the prescriptions were obtained and where users inquired when in doubt. DESIGN: An observation study carried out by means of a structured questionnaire administered to 174 residents in our basic health area. SETTING: Cerro del Aguila Basic Health Area in Sevilla. PARTICIPANTS: The 174 residents, chosen at random, by quotas corresponding to the Census' demographic characteristics. People under 15 were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 32.2% had no spontaneous memory of having taken any NSAID: 86.8% did not remember any possible adverse reaction to medication. Only 49.3% of the NSAID declared were prescribed by a doctor. 17.8% took NSAID daily and 5.7% took more than one medicine containing NSAID every day. CONCLUSIONS: In our health area, health education, both to identify NSAID as a pharmacological group and any possible adverse reactions, needs to be strengthened.