Over-the-counter medicine and dietary supplement consumption among academic youth in Poland

ABSTRACT

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and dietary supplements are increasingly popular in Poland, potentially improving but also potentially posing a threat to public health. The study goal is to characterize and assess behaviors related to use of OTC medicines and dietary supplements among Polish university students. A questionnaire-based survey was performed with students divided into groups (gender, subjects studied, period of studies). The majority of students declared using the products, significantly more females and younger students in their early years. Females tended to be more attentive to product information. Students with a background in biological or medical sciences were also more attentive and less influenced by advertising. The authors present that the differences between the defined groups of students should be utilized in tailored educational activities, aiming to rationalize high consumption of OTC medicines and dietary supplements. Targeting other, especially low-socioeconomic and less-educated, groups should follow.

KEYWORDS:

• OTC medicine
• dietary supplement
• self-treatment
• college student
• gender differences
• survey

Financial and competing interests disclosure

This study was partially funded by the Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland (grant K/ZDS/004693). This support was used in the data analysis phase and the funding agency did not influence decisions related to preparation and submission of the manuscript for publication. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors. The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Supplementary-material

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