Pattern of use and awareness of side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among general public in Gondar city, North west Ethiopia.
| Title: | Pattern of use and awareness of side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among general public in Gondar city, North west Ethiopia. |
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| Authors: | Ayele HS; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. habtamusemagn09@gmail.com.; Beyna AT; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Asrie AB; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Belete TM; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Tegegne AA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Getachew D; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Alemayehu TT; Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Bizuneh GK; Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy , College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Chanie ST; Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine and Health Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Mengesha AK; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. |
| Source: | Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2026 Mar 17; Vol. 16 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 17. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011- |
| MeSH Terms: | Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal*/administration & dosage ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal*/adverse effects ; Urban Population*/statistics & numerical data ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Ethiopia ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged |
| Abstract: | Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for managing pain, fever, and inflammation. Though over 30 million people use NSAIDs worldwide, a widespread unawareness of their side effects persists, resulting in irrational use and increased global hospital admissions. Currently, no studies have been conducted in Ethiopia concerning the patterns of NSAIDs use or awareness of their side effects. Therefore, this study aims to assess NSAIDs patterns of use and the public's awareness of associated side effects.; Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, from March to May 2025. A systematic random sampling technique was used to enroll 771 participants. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS Version 26 employing binary and multivariable logistic regression.; Result: In this study, 91.24% response rate was achieved and revealed an NSAIDs use prevalence rate of 74.6%, while 52.3% study subjects were aware of NSAIDs side effects. Meanwhile, factors significantly associated with NSAIDs use included age ≥ 49 years (AOR = 1.28, CI = 1.013-2.952, p = 0.001); being retired (AOR = 1.505, CI = 1.011-3.87, p = 0.014); an ex-smoker (AOR = 1.874, CI = 1.021-2.982, p = 0.01) and having gastrointestinal disease (AOR = 2.435, CI = 1.329-3.871, p = 0.012) or heart disease (AOR = 1.576, CI = 1.278-2.686, p = 0.01). Awareness of NSAIDs side effects was also significantly associated with the following factors: being female (AOR = 1.960, CI = 1.402-2.889, p = 0.006); being a student (AOR = 1.801, CI = 1.076-3.014, p = 0.025); and comorbidities such as musculoskeletal disease (AOR = 1.785, CI = 1.092-2.883, p = 0.03).; Conclusion: The perceived prevalence of NSAID use, coupled with notable gaps in awareness highlights the critical need for targeted public health education. This should be achieved through collaborative efforts with relevant bodies and healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, to promote safer and more informed NSAID use.; (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: NSAIDs; Pattern of use; awareness; side-effects |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260318 Date Completed: 20260430 Latest Revision: 20260502 |
| Update Code: | 20260502 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13128872 |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-026-42630-9 |
| PMID: | 41844791 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article