A Prospective Study for “Developing School Based Model for Mainstreaming Rational Use of Medicine”

Background and Objectives: For mainstreaming rational use of medicines (RUM), consumer education is a must. It was felt that a school based model, developed to empower teachers regarding RUM using a modular programme, can generate advocates to influence students as well as parents. The present study was undertaken to assess the baseline knowledge of school teachers about RUM and for pilot testing of some of the modules.

Place and Duration of Study: Gokhale College of Education & Research, Parel, Mumbai and Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College & King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. From March 2013 to December 2013.

Materials and Methods: After obtaining IEC approval and informed consent, 96 final year B.Ed teachers were administered a validated questionnaire having total 60 questions, based on the information to be given to a doctor, sought from a doctor and enquiries to be made while purchasing medicines. Questions related to the attitude and behaviour like self prescribing, antibiotics use, treatment for common diseases like cold, cough and diarrhoea, and use of multivitamins were also included. Participants were then given the above-information using powerpoint presentation, followed by group discussions and personal medicine inventory assessment. Post-test was conducted and the data was analysed using Wilcoxon matched pairs test.

Results: 70/96 participants filled the personal inventory assessment proforma. Of these 63 carried drugs with them, crocin being the commonest. Of these, only 25 participants had knowledge of drug name in the brand they were using. The basal knowledge scores of 64±13.15 showed significant improvement to 74.78±11.66 post-workshop (p<0.05). This was mainly in areas like history giving of chronic disease/family disease (25%), pregnancy, contraception and habits (21%) and information to be sought about side effects and lifestyle modifications (20%). Awareness about rational injection use (31%) and treatment of diarrhoea and cough (15%) was also increased. The modules were well accepted. Desire for repeated training sessions was expressed by the participants.

Conclusion: Knowledge of school teachers regarding appropriate use of medicines was insufficient but they were receptive towards training.