Pictorial Representation on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Product Package and its Influence on Self Medication among Adults in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of pictorial representation on product packs of NSAIDs on their self-medication among adults in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State. The study is a descriptive inferential cross-sectional study that involved the collection of data from adults and secondary data from a regulatory authority. The data collected from questionnaires administered to adults who were randomly selected across the LGA was analyzed to evaluate the association between pictorial representation on product packs and the practice of self-medication. A time series analysis was conducted with secondary data obtained from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria’s medicine regulatory agency, to determine the possible changes or trends that may have occurred with the availability of NSAIDs with pictorial representation. The respondents who participated in the research were adults who were 18 years and above. Of the 652 respondents, 50.8% were males, and 49.2% were females. Demographic profiles, Information sources, and pictorial influence on product packs of NSAID were tested for association with self-medication. Among respondents, 80.6% admitted that they are self-medicated, and 50.6% of them responded that pictorial representation influenced their decision to purchase NSAIDs. A binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the association between demographic profile and the influence of pictorial representation on product packs of NSAIDs. The overall model was statistically significant, χ2 (9) = 33.097, p< 0.005. The model explained 1.05% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in a pictorial representation and correctly classified 62.3% of cases. Keywords: Alimosho, Attitude, Knowledge, NSAID, Perception, Self-medication.