Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 14  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 318--322

Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding sugar content in medicine in Bengaluru city: A questionnaire study


Hitendra Ramesh Jain1, Vanishree Nanjundaiah2, Shivalingeshswamy Hiremath3, Chaitra Nagesh3, Jeswin Jacob4, Keerthi Prasad2 
1 Department of Public Health Dentistry, S.M.B.T. Dental College and Hospital, Sangamner, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Public Health Dentistry, Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Public Health Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
4 Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dayanand Sagar College of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Correspondence Address:
Hitendra Ramesh Jain
Department of Public Health Dentistry, S.M.B.T. Dental College and Hospital, Sangamner - 422 608, Maharashtra
India

Introduction: Most pediatric medicines are prescribed in a liquid form that includes sugar in the formulation. Accumulating evidence, on a clinical and experimental basis, shows a significant association between the intake of sucrose-based medication and an increased incidence of dental caries. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of pharmacists regarding sugar content in medicine in Bengaluru city. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of the pharmacists in Bengaluru city. A sample of 140 retail pharmacist shops were selected randomly from the total list of retail pharmacist shop registered at the Drug Control Department, Bengaluru. Data regarding their knowledge and attitude in relation to sugar content in medicine was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Around 67.9% of the pharmacists agreed that sugar-containing medicines taken long-term could lead to dental problems. Only 12.9% of pharmacists believed that patient prefer sugar-free medicine. Most of the pharmacists (72.9%) felt that they themselves have an important role in educating people about sugar containing medicine. Conclusions: Pharmacists requires further knowledge about sugar-free medicine. The expansion of the pharmacist role in oral health promotion would be of value to patients/customers. Various methods should be adopted to increase pharmacist knowledge about dental health.


How to cite this article:
Jain HR, Nanjundaiah V, Hiremath S, Nagesh C, Jacob J, Prasad K. Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding sugar content in medicine in Bengaluru city: A questionnaire study.J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent 2016;14:318-322


How to cite this URL:
Jain HR, Nanjundaiah V, Hiremath S, Nagesh C, Jacob J, Prasad K. Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists regarding sugar content in medicine in Bengaluru city: A questionnaire study. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];14:318-322
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2016;volume=14;issue=3;spage=318;epage=322;aulast=Jain;type=0