Sources and predictors of home-kept prescription drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the extent of home-kept prescription drugs in the general population and to identify the predictors for a higher number of prescription drugs kept in people's homes.


METHODS
The study included a random stratified sample of 1,000 Slovenian inhabitants. Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire regarding sources and contents of their home pharmacies. The main outcome measure was the presence and the number of home-kept prescription drugs.


RESULTS
The response rate was 41%. At least one prescription drug in the home pharmacy was kept by 298 (75.4%) of the respondents, average number of prescription drugs was 3.1 ± 3.3. The majority of the respondents (319, 77.8%) bought the drugs for self-medication in pharmacies. Almost a quarter of the respondents obtained them from relatives and friends (82, 20.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a visit to a clinical specialist in the previous year and high blood pressure were independent predictors for the presence of any home-kept prescription drug. Multivariate linear regression analysis also showed that rural and suburban living areas, a visit to a clinical specialist, a need for a home visit by a doctor in the past year, and the presence of diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma or depression are independent predictors for a higher number of home-kept prescription drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Doctors have to take into account that their patients keep several prescription drugs in their home pharmacies. These patients are potential providers to their friends and relatives of potentially unsafe drugs for self-medication.
Klemenc-Ketis
Z
Z
Department of Family Medicine, Medical School, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. zalika.klemenc-ketis@uni-mb.si
Kersnik
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017524:Slovenia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D055553:Prescription Drugs