背景:鼻减充血剂,比如去氧肾上腺素和伪麻黄碱,通常用于缓解过敏性鼻炎等疾病中的鼻塞。它们通过血管收缩引起鼻腔扩张,但可能导致严重的副作用,如高血压和反弹充血。尽管在柜台上很容易接近,他们的使用模式和对副作用的认识没有得到很好的研究。
目的:该研究旨在评估Al-Qunfudah省鼻减充血剂的使用模式和公众知识,沙特阿拉伯,2023年。
方法:这项观察性横断面研究评估了居住在Al-Qunfudah省及其村庄的10岁及以上人群鼻减充血剂的使用模式。数据是在三个月内收集的,从2023年6月到8月,使用一项自我管理的调查,该调查在Al-Qunfudah省的普通民众中在Twitter等不同的电子平台上传播(XCorp.,旧金山,CA,美国)和Snapchat(SnapInc.,圣莫尼卡,CA,美国)。使用RStudio(版本4.3.0)进行统计分析。知识得分呈非正态分布(Shapiro-Wilk检验p值<0.001)。对于正态分布的定性变量,使用Pearson卡方检验评估与使用鼻减充血剂相关的因素.当超过20%的细胞具有小于5的频率时,应用Fisher精确检验。使用广义线性回归模型来评估较高知识分数的独立预测因素。P值<0.05表示统计学显著性。
结果:基于410个回答,近77%(n=314)的参与者曾经使用过鼻减充血剂。314人中有118人(37.6%)每天两次使用这些药物少于五天(81.2%,n=255)。共有192名(61.1%)参与者根据医生的处方使用鼻减充血剂。很少有受访者(12.9%,n=53)和(33.2%,n=136)正确确定鼻粘膜溃疡和鼻干是长期使用鼻减充血剂的不利影响。然而,84.6%(n=347)忽略了他们的禁忌症,55.1%(n=226)对反弹拥堵一无所知。总的来说,参与者对鼻减充血剂的知识水平中等,知识得分中位数为5.0。学生(β=1.12,95CI,0.19至2.05,p=0.019)和女性与更好的知识得分(β=0.97,95CI,0.40至1.54,p<0.001)独立相关。曾经使用鼻减充血剂的人(β=0.71,95%CI:0.07至1.34,p=0.030)和每天使用3次的人(β=1.05,95%CI:0.11至1.99,p=0.029)知识得分较高。
结论:沙特阿拉伯超过三分之二(76.6%)的Al-Qunfudah普通人群使用鼻减充血剂。鼻减充血剂的使用模式突出了鼻塞的短期使用。尽管普通人群对鼻减充血剂的知识水平中等,关于他们的系统性禁忌症有许多差距,副作用,以及反弹拥堵的风险。建议进行焦点小组讨论,以使公众对这种常见类型的药物有充分而深刻的认识。健康教育计划建议关于这一类的药物,警告他们自我药疗无效。
BACKGROUND: Nasal decongestants, like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, are commonly used to relieve nasal obstruction in conditions such as allergic rhinitis. They induce nasal passage dilation through vasoconstriction but can lead to serious side effects like hypertension and rebound congestion. Despite being easily accessible over the counter, their usage patterns and awareness of side effects are not well studied.
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the utilization pattern and public knowledge of nasal decongestants in Al-Qunfudah governorate, Saudi Arabia, in 2023.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study assessed the utilization pattern of nasal decongestants among those who were 10 years of age and older and resided in Al-Qunfudah governorate and its villages. Data were collected in three months, from June to August 2023, using a self-administered survey that was disseminated among the general population at Al-Qunfudah governorate on different electronic platforms like Twitter (X Corp., San Francisco, CA, United States) and Snapchat (Snap Inc., Santa Monica, CA, United States). RStudio (version 4.3.0) was used for the statistical analysis. The knowledge score showed a non-normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk test p value < 0.001). For normally distributed qualitative variables, the factors related to nasal decongestant use were assessed using Pearson\'s Chi-squared test. Fisher\'s exact test was applied when more than 20% of cells had frequencies less than 5. A generalized linear regression model was used to assess the independent predictors of higher knowledge scores. A p-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
RESULTS: Based on 410 responses, nearly 77% (n = 314) of the participants have ever used nasal decongestants. A total of 118 out of 314 (37.6%) used these medications twice daily for less than five days (81.2%, n = 255). A total of 192 (61.1%) participants used nasal decongestants based on physicians\' prescriptions. Few respondents (12.9%, n = 53) and (33.2%, n = 136) correctly identified nasal mucosal ulceration and nasal dryness as adverse effects of prolonged nasal decongestants\' use. However, 84.6% (n = 347) ignored their contraindications, and 55.1% (n = 226) had no idea about rebound congestion. Overall, participants displayed a moderate level of knowledge regarding nasal decongestants, with a median knowledge score of 5.0. Being a student (beta = 1.12, 95%CI, 0.19 to 2.05, p = 0.019) and being a female were independently associated with better knowledge scores (beta = 0.97, 95%CI, 0.40 to 1.54, p < 0.001). Those who ever used nasal decongestants (beta = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.34, p = 0.030) and those who used them three times a day (beta = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.11 to 1.99, p = 0.029) had higher knowledge scores.
CONCLUSIONS: More than two-thirds (76.6%) of the Al-Qunfudah general population in Saudi Arabia utilized nasal decongestants. The utilization pattern of nasal decongestants highlighted short-term usage for nasal obstruction. Despite the moderate level of knowledge of the general population about nasal decongestants, many gaps were noted regarding their systemic contraindications, side effects, and the risks of rebound congestion. A focus group discussion is advised to get a full and deep perception of the public regarding this common type of medication. Health education programs are recommended regarding this category of medications, warning them about ineffective self-medication.