Patient perceptions of pharmacist roles in guiding self-medication of over-the-counter therapy in Qatar

Figures & data

Table 1 Patient survey respondent demographics

Gender (n, % male)	525 (92.1)
Age, years (mean ± SD)	38.3 (11.1)
<30 years (%)	172 (30.6)
30–50 years	297 (52.1)
>50 years	93 (16.3)
Country of origin (n, %)*
Gulf Coast country (GCC)	39 (6.8)
Qatar alone	34 (5.9)
Bilad Al Sham	31 (5.4)
Africa	67 (11.8)
South East Asia	310 (54.4)
Asia	107 (18.6)
Europe	12 (2.1)
Other	5 (0.9)
Primary language (n, %)
Arabic	129 (22.6)
English	37 (6.5)
South East Asian dialects	307 (53.9)
Asian dialects	95 (16.7)
Other	2 (0.4)

Notes: Examples of countries represented in the categories include: South East Asia – India, Nepal, Pakistan; Asia – Philippines, Korea; Gulf Coast – Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen; Bilad Al Sham – region including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine territory.

Figure 1 Patient survey question and responses.

Table 2 Patient preferences for over-the-counter drug indications

Symptoms	Respondents (n, %)
Cold and flu	302 (52.9)
Pain	237 (41.6)
Headache	125 (21.9)
Gastrointestinal (dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea)	122 (21.4)
Allergy	91 (16)
Fever	63 (11.1)
Vitamins (no specific indication)	35 (6.1)
Dry eye	47 (8.2)
Cutaneous (cuts, dermatologic conditions, oral care)	31 (5.4)
Patient’s own prescription therapy	3 (0.5)

Notes: n = 570. Individuals could offer more than one indication. 9.7% responded they were not interested in obtaining medication directly from a pharmacist. 14.8% of respondents did not offer any specific indication.

Table 3 Patient survey responses

Questionnaire item	Strongly agree	Agree	Neither agree or disagree	Disagree	Strongly disagree
	Responses, %*
A nurse gives reliable advice about drugs	19.1	18.5	18.5	7	36.9
A pharmacist gives reliable advice about drugs	54.1	25.5	13.4	1.3	5.7
I would be comfortable receiving drugs directly from a nurse	40.8	10.8	16.6	15.2	16.6
I would be comfortable receiving drugs directly from a pharmacist	54.1	22.3	15.3	1.9	6.4

Notes:

* These questions were posed only in the second survey, n = 171. Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with the given statements.