title: Peptic ulcer disease and Jamaican patients' awareness of their disorder.
abstract: In the management and prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer disease, patients' awareness of their disorder is essential. Fifty-one patients with peptic ulcer disease were studied regarding their awareness of their disorder and compliance with medications. There were 30 women and 21 men with a mean age of 45 years. Thirty-five per cent had secondary school education; 22% had tertiary training and 10% had no formal education. Sixty-three per cent of patients knew their ulcer location but 37% were unaware of their diagnosis. Twenty-nine per cent received most of their information from their pharmacists. Twenty per cent of patients smoked cigarettes; 31% drank alcohol, and 14% took non-steroidal analgesics. Seventy-six per cent thought that poor eating habits were a contributory cause of their ulcer; 39% thought that stress was a cause and 16% implicated heredity. Seventy-six per cent of patients took their medications daily, and 24% only when symptomatic. Jamaican patients' awareness of their ulcer disease is inadequate. There is a need for more physician education of their patients as well as public health promotion about peptic ulcer disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, U.W.I. Jamaica.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soyibo
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Garro
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires