The frequency of drug allergy and knowledge and attitudes about drug allergy in adult people who apply to ertugrul education family health center no 36 in Bursa province

Nowadays, using more than one drug is increasing, especially in the adult population. As the number of prescribed drugs increases, adverse drug reactions are more common. In our study, we aimed to investigate the history of drug allergy, the level of knowledge about drug allergy and the factors affecting them in our patients who applied to Ertuğrul Education Family Health Center No.36. Our study was organized as a single-center, cross-sectional and questionnaire study. Between July 2020 and November 2020, 191 participants, 18 years of age and over, who applied to Ertuğrul Education Family Health Center for any reason, were included. The questionnaire evaluating the sociodemographic information, drug allergy history and drug allergy knowledge level of the participants was filled in by the researcher by interviewing face to face. The knowledge level score about drug allergy was calculated by converting into a 100-point system according to the correct answers given. In our study, 60.2% of the participants were women, 31.9% had mid-level income and 54.4% had at least one chronic disease history. The proportion of those who had a history of drug allergy was 14%, and the rate of participants with a family history of drug allergy was 17%. The drug allergy knowledge level mean score of the participants was found to be 45.26 ± 18.82. In our study, the frequency (14%) of people with a history of drug allergy among the participants was found to be higher than expected. It was observed that drug allergy was more common in patients with a history of allergic disease or a family history of drug allergy. High level of income, the presence of comorbid diseases, the history of drug allergy in the person's family, and the history of drug allergy are factors that contribute to the increase in the level of knowledge. Taking more detailed anamnesis about the drug allergy history of patients with drug allergy, which is more common than expected, and spending more time to inform the person about possible allergic reactions will increase the awareness of both the patient and the doctor about drug allergy.