Consumer Attitude and Awareness Regarding Use of Anti-Ulcerant Drugs in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Anti-ulcerents drugs are a class of drugs has been using to treat ulcers in the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. Although, anti-ulcerants are beneficial in many cases, adverse effects have not gone unnoticed. Objective: We aimed to find out the anti-ulcerant use scenario in Bangladesh and consumers’ attitude and awareness regarding the long term use of anti-ulcerants. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study where 103 respondents were interviewed through convincing sampling technique. Respondents were indoor admitted patients of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. A questionnaire consisting 24 questions in total was developed to interview the participants. Collected data was analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Among 103 respondents, 50.5% were male 88 were taking anti-ulcerants 43 (41.7%) were taking medication per advice of physicians. About 63% participants are willing to continue their drugs. Conclusion: Evidence based practice during prescribing the antiulcerants in necessary. Consumers should make aware its side effects as well as effects of long term use of antiulcerants.