title: Scale development on consumer behavior toward counterfeit drugs in a developing country: a quantitative study exploiting the tools of an evolving paradigm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although desperate need and drug counterfeiting are linked in developing countries, little research has been carried out to address this link, and there is a lack of proper tools and methodology. This study addresses the need for a new methodological approach by developing a scale to aid in understanding the demand side of drug counterfeiting in a developing country.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study presents a quantitative, non-representative survey conducted in Sudan. A face-to-face structured interview survey methodology was employed to collect the data from the general population (people in the street) in two phases: pilot (n = 100) and final survey (n = 1003). Data were analyzed by examining means, variances, squared multiple correlations, item-to-total correlations, and the results of an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As an approach to scale purification, internal consistency was examined and improved. The scale was reduced from 44 to 41 items and Cronbach's alpha improved from 0.818 to 0.862. Finally, scale items were assessed. The result was an eleven-factor solution. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that the "Consumer Behavior Toward Counterfeit Drugs Scale" is a valid, reliable measure with a solid theoretical base. Ultimately, the study offers public health policymakers a valid measurement tool and, consequently, a new methodological approach with which to build a better understanding of the demand side of counterfeit drugs and to develop more effective strategies to combat the problem.
authors.affiliation: National Drug Quality Control Laboratory, National Medicines and Poisons Board, Federal Ministry of Health, Qasr Street, Khartoum, Sudan. abubakr13@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abubakr A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alfadl
authors.forename: Mohamed Izham b Mohamed
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Mohamed Azmi Ahmad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058110:Counterfeit Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013397:Sudan; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058110:Counterfeit Drugs
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