AWARENESS OF SAFE USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Suzana Mlinar*, Rosanda Raškovi�? Malnaršič

The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of awareness regarding safe use of over-the-counter drugs. The study population included nursing students of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Slovenia. A cross sectional study was conducted between Feb‘and Apr‘2013. Descriptive statistics were determined to illustrated participant's characteristic. A t-test was used to determined gender-based differences and the contingency coefficient for determining differences per place of residence, age, the consultant for the use of over-the-counter drugs and the number of over-the-counter drugs taken within the last month. The majority of the participants will read instructions for safe use before using the over-the-counter drug, with a statistically significantly higher incidence in women (p = .021). Participants re-read the instructions after deciding to increase the dosage of the over-the-counter drug, with a statistically higher incidence in men (p = .014). It is important to raise awareness of the seriousness of self-medication among nursing students. Thus, safe use of over-the-counter drugs to improve health.