Reading and understanding medication labels

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 13 views

Patient Knowledge and Rationality of Self-Treatment at Medan Johor District Pharmacy

Introduction

In today's fast-paced world, health has become a crucial aspect of our daily lives. Many individuals tend to opt for self-treatment to alleviate symptoms of mild diseases such as fever, pain, coughing, flu, ulcers, diarrhea, and skin diseases. This phenomenon highlights the public's trust in their ability to treat themselves using drugs available at pharmacies. However, this raises concerns about the level of knowledge and rationality of drug use in self-treatment. This study aims to investigate the knowledge and rationality of self-treatment among patients at the Medan Johor District Pharmacy.

The Importance of Patient Knowledge and Rationality in Self-Treatment

Patient knowledge and rationality in self-treatment are crucial factors in ensuring that individuals make informed decisions about their health. With the increasing availability of over-the-counter medications, it is essential to assess the level of knowledge and rationality of drug use among patients. This study focuses on the main objectives of assessing the public's knowledge of self-treatment and the rationality of drug use. By understanding these factors, we can ensure that patients make appropriate decisions related to their health, thereby avoiding unexpected side effects from improper use of drugs.

Methodology

This study employed a survey method with a cross-sectional design, involving 400 respondents aged between 18 to 60 years. Respondents were selected using Consecutive Sampling techniques from pharmacies located in Medan Johor District. Data was collected through questionnaires that had been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis was carried out using the Chi-Square test and the Fisher test using SPSS version 17.

Research Findings

The results of the study revealed that 20.5% of respondents had a good level of knowledge, 54.0% were in the medium category, and 25.5% were classified as bad. Interestingly, the use of drugs for self-treatment showed that 82.3% of respondents used it rationally, while only 17.8% did it irrationally. Through statistical analysis, it was found that factors such as age, gender, last education, and work also affected the level of community knowledge. In addition, the rationality of drug use was also influenced by age, last education, and type of work. This indicates that the knowledge and educational background of a person can affect the way they make decisions related to health.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The high percentage of rational drug use (82.3%) suggests that although community knowledge is still classified, many patients can choose the appropriate drug to deal with the symptoms they experience. However, the high percentage of poor knowledge categories (25.5%) still needs to be watched out for, considering this can trigger the risk of using drugs that are not appropriate or excessive. It is essential to provide further education for the community regarding their own treatment, especially for groups with a lower level of education. Health programs that educate the community about appropriate treatment and the dangers of the use of drugs carelessly need to be designed and implemented so that people can be wiser in their own treatment.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, the majority of respondents had a classified level of knowledge (54.0%) and the use of rational self-medication drugs reached 82.3%. This finding highlights the importance of increasing health education to maximize rationality in self-treatment. The community needs to continue to be given appropriate information and resources in order to make better decisions related to their health. With better knowledge, it is hoped that the community will be wiser in choosing appropriate and safe treatment.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Health Education Programs: Health education programs should be designed and implemented to educate the community about appropriate treatment and the dangers of the use of drugs carelessly.
Community Awareness: Community awareness campaigns should be conducted to inform the public about the importance of seeking medical attention when necessary and the risks associated with self-treatment.
Pharmacist Training: Pharmacists should be trained to provide accurate information and advice to patients about the use of medications and the potential risks associated with self-treatment.
Patient Education: Patients should be educated about the importance of reading and understanding medication labels, as well as the potential interactions between medications.

By implementing these recommendations, we can ensure that patients make informed decisions about their health and reduce the risk of adverse effects from improper use of drugs.
Patient Knowledge and Rationality of Self-Treatment at Medan Johor District Pharmacy: A Q&A Article

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of patient knowledge and rationality in self-treatment at the Medan Johor District Pharmacy. We also presented the findings of a study that aimed to assess the level of knowledge and rationality of drug use among patients. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to the study and its findings.

Q: What is the main objective of the study?

A: The main objective of the study is to assess the level of knowledge and rationality of drug use among patients who engage in self-treatment at the Medan Johor District Pharmacy.

Q: What is the significance of patient knowledge and rationality in self-treatment?

A: Patient knowledge and rationality in self-treatment are crucial factors in ensuring that individuals make informed decisions about their health. With the increasing availability of over-the-counter medications, it is essential to assess the level of knowledge and rationality of drug use among patients.

Q: What are the key findings of the study?

A: The study found that 20.5% of respondents had a good level of knowledge, 54.0% were in the medium category, and 25.5% were classified as bad. Interestingly, the use of drugs for self-treatment showed that 82.3% of respondents used it rationally, while only 17.8% did it irrationally.

Q: What factors affect the level of community knowledge?

A: The study found that factors such as age, gender, last education, and work also affected the level of community knowledge. In addition, the rationality of drug use was also influenced by age, last education, and type of work.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings highlight the importance of increasing health education to maximize rationality in self-treatment. The community needs to continue to be given appropriate information and resources in order to make better decisions related to their health.

Q: What recommendations can be made based on the study's findings?

A: Based on the study's findings, the following recommendations can be made:

Health Education Programs: Health education programs should be designed and implemented to educate the community about appropriate treatment and the dangers of the use of drugs carelessly.
Community Awareness: Community awareness campaigns should be conducted to inform the public about the importance of seeking medical attention when necessary and the risks associated with self-treatment.
Pharmacist Training: Pharmacists should be trained to provide accurate information and advice to patients about the use of medications and the potential risks associated with self-treatment.
Patient Education: Patients should be educated about the importance of reading and understanding medication labels, as well as the potential interactions between medications.

Q: How can patients make informed decisions about their health?

A: Patients can make informed decisions about their health by:

Reading and understanding medication labels: Patients should read and understand the labels of their medications to know what they are taking and what potential risks are associated with them.
Seeking medical attention when necessary: Patients should seek medical attention when they experience symptoms that are severe or persistent.
Asking questions: Patients should ask questions to their healthcare providers about their medications and potential risks associated with them.
Staying informed: Patients should stay informed about their health and the potential risks associated with self-treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study's findings highlight the importance of patient knowledge and rationality in self-treatment. By increasing health education and providing patients with accurate information and resources, we can ensure that patients make informed decisions about their health and reduce the risk of adverse effects from improper use of drugs.