Self-medication behaviors among Japanese consumers: sex, age, and SES differences and caregivers' attitudes toward their children's health management.

Q1 Medicine Asia Pacific Family Medicine Pub Date : 2012-09-11 DOI:10.1186/1447-056X-11-7
Ikuko Aoyama, Shinichi Koyama, Haruo Hibino
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引用次数: 31

Abstract

Unlabelled:

Background: Since 2009, when the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act was enacted in Japan, self-medication practices have increased. Because the concept of self-medication was recently introduced in Japan, few studies exist on this topic. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how self-medication is practiced. This study examined Japanese consumers' self-medication practices and attitudes toward over-the-counter (OTC) medicines based on their sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: The participants were 403 adults (Mage = 41.1 years, SD = 16.22). A quota sampling method was employed based on age group, and participants completed an online questionnaire.

Results: Participants in the 20-29 age group reported medical costs as an obstacle in seeing a doctor; in contrast, transportation was a mitigating factor for elderly people. Regarding SES, people at lower SES levels chose to rest instead of seeing a doctor or purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) medicines when sick. They also placed more value on national brand OTC medicines than private brands (likely due to advertisements). This finding suggests individuals with a low SES do not select OTC medicines based on their effects or ingredients. Regarding attitudes toward OTC medicines, Japanese participants seemed to be unaware of the potential for abuse and side effects associated with OTC medicines. Finally, in relation to caregivers' self-medication practices for their children, the majority of participants reported taking their children to the hospital since children tend to receive free medical care. Furthermore, caregivers with a high educational background are more confident in being able to help manage their children's health.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that health and medical discrepancies among Japanese consumers pose new social problems. In Japan, universal health care is available, but the cost of receiving medical care is not completely free of charge. Thus, we hope that the government will attempt to meet the various needs of patients and support their well-being. Consumers also have to be more independent and aware of their health management, as self-medication practices will continue to play a more significant role in healthcare. More research is needed to find ways to teach Japanese consumers/patients of both the benefits and risks of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

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日本消费者自我药疗行为:性别、年龄、社会经济地位差异及照顾者对子女健康管理的态度
背景:自2009年修订后的《药事法》在日本颁布以来,自我药疗的做法有所增加。由于自我药疗的概念是最近才在日本引入的,因此关于这一主题的研究很少。因此,有必要探讨如何进行自我药疗。本研究调查了日本消费者基于性别、年龄和社会经济地位(SES)的自我药疗实践和对非处方药(OTC)的态度。方法:研究对象为403名成人(年龄41.1岁,SD = 16.22)。采用基于年龄组的配额抽样方法,参与者完成在线问卷调查。结果:20-29岁年龄组的参与者报告医疗费用是就医的障碍;相比之下,交通对老年人来说是一个缓解因素。在经济地位方面,经济地位较低的人在生病时选择休息,而不是去看医生或购买非处方药。他们也更重视国家品牌的非处方药,而不是私人品牌(可能是由于广告)。这一发现表明,社会经济地位低的人不会根据药物的效果或成分来选择非处方药。关于对非处方药的态度,日本参与者似乎没有意识到非处方药的潜在滥用和副作用。最后,关于照顾者为子女自行用药的做法,大多数参与者报告说,他们带子女去医院,因为儿童往往得到免费医疗。此外,受过高等教育的护理人员更有信心能够帮助管理孩子的健康。结论:我们的研究结果表明,日本消费者之间的健康和医疗差异造成了新的社会问题。日本提供全民保健,但接受医疗保健的费用并非完全免费。因此,我们希望政府能够努力满足患者的各种需求,支持他们的福祉。消费者也必须更加独立并意识到自己的健康管理,因为自我药疗实践将继续在医疗保健中发挥更重要的作用。需要更多的研究来找到方法,让日本消费者/患者了解非处方药的好处和风险。
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Asia Pacific Family Medicine
Asia Pacific Family Medicine Medicine-Family Practice
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