Drug Use Behaviors of Patients Applied to Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Objective: Drug use behavior directly affects the success of treatment. There are several factors that affect this behavior. This study aimed to identify the drug use behaviors of individuals and the factors affecting these behaviors.

Methods: The study is cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical. The study was conducted by applying a face-to-face questionnaire to the patients who accepted to participate in the study randomly among the patients who applied to the Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic within a six-month period. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using the SPSS package program.

Results: A total of 272 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 30.86±13.36 years. In case of illness, Family Health Centers were found to be the first place to be examined, with a rate of 47.4%. It was observed that patients who asked for a prescription for a drug for later use most frequently requested pain medication. Medicines are most often stored at room temperature. Gender and the presence of chronic disease have a significant effect on drug use behavior.

Conclusion: Most of the participants have irrational and inappropriate drug use behaviors. Active involvement of primary health care services in the development of rational and appropriate drug use behavior will facilitate the achievement of the desired result.