MEDICINE CASE STUDY HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEMS OF FINNISH HOUSEHOLDS IN MEDICINE CONSUMPTION PRACTICES

Abstract

Medicine education as part of health education aims to educate about rational medicine use: the right medicine taken in the right way at the right time for the right problem. Storage places of medicines are one issue discussed in medicine education. This participative observation research of Finnish households’ (n = 10) medicine storage places was conducted together with interviews of 12 mothers and 12 children concerning medicine consumption habits. Data were analysed using directed content analysis. In all interviewed households (n = 12), children and mothers confirmed the same storage places for the medicines. None of the households locked the medicine storage places even if the cabinets had a lock and key. The number of medicine types varied widely among the studied households (n=10), from 8 to 33. The number of expired medicines ranged from 1 to 10 pieces per household. At home medicines are discussed consciously when the child, family member, relative or a friend has a long-term illness, when being sick and while taking medication. Mothers identified themselves as being responsible for the medicine cabinet at home. Mothers were categorised into four groups − home nurses (2), forgetful (2), reckless (2) and health conscious (4) − based on their medicine consumption and storage practices. Some of these practices do not demonstrate the appropriate use and storage of medicines. Based on the findings, we recommend that educational material should be developed on medicine storage and use. Key words: medicine education, medicine storage, medicine consumption, medicine safety.