title: Public knowledge and factors associated with inappropriate analgesic use: a survey in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate knowledge of analgesics and factors associated with inappropriate analgesic use among the public.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was carried out in one large city in the south of Thailand. The survey was conducted using interview of people of age 16 or older. The questionnaire elicited information regarding knowledge, attitudes and behaviours on analgesic use including prevalence of taking paracetamol >4 g/day (overdosage) and not taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with meals (inappropriate taking).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1982 participants, paracetamol overdose (n = 595) and inappropriate NSAID users (n = 751) were less likely to give correct answers about analgesics compared with appropriate users. The overdose use was inversely associated with knowledge on paracetamol (odds ratio (OR) 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83, 0.98) but directly associated with positive attitudes towards high dose taking (OR 2.15; 95% CI, 1.49, 3.11), and high frequency of analgesic use (OR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.24, 2.54). Inappropriate NSAID ingestion was inversely associated with knowledge on NSAIDs and directly associated with more commonly obtaining analgesics from community pharmacies (OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82, 0.92 and OR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.61, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor knowledge, positive attitudes towards high dose or high frequency of analgesic consumption and the patterns of using drugs were associated with inappropriate analgesic use especially that of paracetamol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Woranuch
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saengcharoen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nutdaporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buasri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Boonyisa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khantapokha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sanguan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lerkiatbundit
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen
keywords: analgesic; factor; inappropriate use; knowledge