title: Use of over-the-counter medications in prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.
abstract: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are a fast developing branch of the pharmaceutical industry, in both Poland and rest of the world. The aim of the work was to evaluate the factors that influence the purchase and use of OTC medications in prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. The analysis involved 450 randomly chosen subjects, aged 19-80. The study was performed using a questionnaire which included a number of questions related to the characteristics of respondents such as: health, socio-demographic data, and factors influencing the purchase of OTC medications used in respiratory tract infections. The self-medication phenomenon in upper respiratory tract infections is significant in Poland and will continue to increase with support of many demographic and socio-economic factors. Despite certain health risks resulting from the inappropriate use of OTC medications, it should continue to be offered as a part of the pharmaceutical market.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, Sociology and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Poland. sbaran@ipp.uz.zgora.pl
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Teul
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ignys-O'Byrne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs