Aims:
The effectiveness of drug therapy is
largely influenced by noncompliance, which is believed to be affected by attitude
toward drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes toward drugs
from an epidemiological perspective in Palestine
Methodology: A cross-sectional study, based on
questionnaire survey randomly distributed to individuals in Palestine in the
period starting November 2004 to January 2005. Data collected were entered and
analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Program (SPSS) version
11 for windows.
Results: Out of 573 respondents, 79.9%
considered drugs as positive, a help; 15.4% viewed medication as necessary,
evil; 4.7% considered medication as negative danger. “Self-Care” oriented
people viewed medications more positive than others. Differences in attitude
were observed among users of different types of drugs; those using antihypertensive
or asthmatic, psychotropic drugs viewed medication more negatively than others.
Patient’s medication knowledge greatly affects attitude toward drugs and thus
patient’s compliance and drug effectiveness.
Discussion and Conclusion: The majority of the study sample
viewed medication as something positive, a help. Both written and oral
information given to patients about illness and drug use greatly influence the
attitude toward drugs and patient compliance. Certain population such as the
elderly, patients using antihypertensive, psychotropic and asthmatic drugs
needs special concern. Clinical pharmacists are the appropriate specialists to
provide drug education to patients.