The evaluation of the use of proton pump inhibitors of patients registered in family health centers in terms of rational drug use

Objective: PPI drugs, which act by blocking stomach acid, are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in the world and in our country since the 1980s. It can be used in all age groups and is the most potent drug group available for diseases that are treated by gastric acid inhibition. PPI drugs, that can be used off label and for long periods of time. Literature data show that PPI usage rates are approximately 40% in 2022 in our country. In this study, we aimed to reveal the prevalence of PPI use, frequency of inappropriate PPI use, PPI use behaviors and knowledge levels of patients who applied to family health centers affiliated to Samsun Provincial Health Directorate. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as cross-sectional and prospective. The study was carried out in a 3 month period between 01.12.22 and 01.03.2023. The population of the study consists of people registered in family health centers (FHC) affiliated to Samsun Provincial Health Directorate. A data collection form consisting of 35 questions about sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge levels of gastric protective drugs and usage habits was applied to the participants by face-to-face interview technique. SPSS (version 25.0. SPSS Inc. Chicago. IL. USA) program was used in the analysis of the data. For the p value, values with p<0.05 were considered significant. Results: It was determined that 38.1% of the participants did not know the names of gastric protective drugs in the market. It was found that Lansoprazole is the most known drug by those who know the names of gastric protective drugs. It was determined that 86.7% of the participants thought that gastric protective drugs should be used with the recommendation of a doctor. 33.1% of the participants stated that they recommended medication to their surroundings. It has been found that the status of recommending drugs to those around them is related to the level of education (p=0,002). It was found that the branch in which gastric protective drugs are most frequently prescribed was 37,8% Family Medicine. It was found that the branch with the most inappropriate use of PPIs (more than 8 weeks) was Internal Medicine with 34,7%. It was determined that 39.4% of the patients participating in the study had never used gastric protective drugs before. Conclusion: More than a quarter of the participants do not know the names of gastric protective drugs. The most common digestive system disease among the participants is GERD. More than half of the participants do not know the prices of gastric protective drugs. It was observed that level of knowledge of the participants about the side effects of gastric protective drugs was low. Almost all of the participants that gastric protective drugs should be used on an empty stomach. Almost all of the participants think that gastric protective drug treatment should be started with the recommendation of a physician. Almost all of the participants supply their gastric protective drugs with prescription. Today, uncontrolled use of PPIs has become a global public problem. In order to overcome this problem, awareness raising activities of the society, pharmacists and physicians should be increased. Keywords: Rational drug use, proton pump inhibitors, long term use, family medicine.