Effectiveness of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Package on Knowledge and Attitude regarding OTC (Over The Counter) Drugs among Adults

Abstract

Globally, self medication practices are more frequently observed for the Over The Counter (OTC) drugs or medicines (WHO, 1998). Over-the-counter drugs are the drugs that are purchased without prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner (FDA, 2011). A study was done to find out the effect of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) package on knowledge and attitude of adults (N=400) regarding OTC drugs at urban community, Tiruvannamali district, Tamilnadu, India by using pre and post test design with multistage sampling technique. This study has found that use of OTC drugs would be very common among adults, facilitated by the easy availability of drugs and sources of information from pharmacist. Majority of the adults, 77% in experimental group and 79% in control group were practicing OTC drugs more than 3 years. Most adults are unknowing the adverse and side effects of the OTC drugs that they take and recommend to their relations and peer groups. There is a possibility to get problems due to inappropriate use of nonprescription drugs, so the researcher should be highlighted by using the IEC package to attenuate the danger. The result of this study shows that there is a significant improvement (P<0.05 level) in knowledge and attitude of adults after the administration of IEC package in experimental group than the control group