Appropriateness assessment and identifying the risk factors of oral non-prescription drugs’ use among university students in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Irrational use of drugs has a serious impact on health and the economy. The use of oral non-prescription drugs is increasing among university students worldwide. The objective of the present study is to measure the prevalence of use of oral-non-prescription drugs, assess appropriateness of this use, and identify factors associated with inappropriate use among students. A cross- sectional study used anonymous self-administered questionnaire over the period of four months (January, 2014 to April, 2014). More than half (1348; 57%) of participants reported the use of ONPD in the past 90 days before study commencement. Of 1,348, participants reported using ONPD; only 8% were inappropriate ONPD users for self-treating the last recent symptom. The present study identified three newly reported risk factors for the outcome. Polypharmacy behaviour was a significant predictor variable (OR = 2.457, 95% CI: 1.380-4.373, p=0.002), safety belief in the use of ONPD (OR= 1.702, 95% CI: 1.070-2.709, p≤0.05) and medication knowledge (OR= 0.608, 95% CI: 0.380-0.972, p≤0.05). There is high prevalence of ONPD use among university students in UAE. However, the majority of this use was found to be appropriate. To promote healthy ONPD use in university students, awareness campaign is needed in all universities and must stress on the potential dangers of drug addict, drug abuse and polypharmacy behavior.