Assessment and comparison of knowledge, attitudes and practices on usage of paracetamol among people (both males and females) within 20-30 years and 50-60 years attending Outpatient Department at Divisional Hospital, Wellawa

Abstract

Introduction: Paracetamol possesses analgesic and antipyretic properties and is considered as one of the most commonly used over the counter medications worldwide. Despite its favourable safety profile, intentional and unintentional acute overdose of paracetamol attributes to potentially fatal organ damage. Objectives: To assess and compare knowledge, attitudes and practices on paracetamol usage and associated factors among young (20-30yrs) and older adults (50-60yrs) attending the Outpatient Department (OPD) at Divisional Hospital (DH), Wellawa. Methods: A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an interviewer administered questionnaire among 424 patients who attended the OPD at DH, Wellawa. These categorical data were described using percentages and significant associations were determined using T test. The analysis was processed through SPSS software. Results: Participants in the 20-30 years and 50-60-year age groups had 98.6% and 91.8% above average knowledge respectively, 89.2% and 94.3% above average attitudes respectively, 59.2% and 49.5% above average practices respectively on paracetamol usage. There was no statistically significant association between knowledge, attitude and practices with gender. However, according to the T test, only practices were found to have a statistically significant association with age. Conclusions: A majority of the participants from both age groups had an above average knowledge and attitudes on paracetamol usage. Although a majority from 20-30-year age group had an above average practices, only a minority from 50-60-year age group had above average practices on paracetamol usage. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association only between practices and age.