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PUBLIC PERCEPTION REGARDING THE MISUSE OF NASAL DECONGESTANTS IN ABHA-SAUDI ARABIA ,

Saif Saad S Alkhidhran1 , Waleed Saeed S Alqahtani1 , Ahmed Mousa B Asiri1 , Almohannad Saleh A Algarni 1

Background: The estimated prevalence of nasal congestion in the population is 30%. The quality of life has been affected severely by nasal congestion especially school, sleep, work and social life. The efficacy of nasal decongestion has remarkable outcome in clinical practice that led to inappropriate prescription and excessive selfprescribed medication. Rhinitis medicamentosa [RM] is a syndrome of rebound nasal congestion caused by overuse or misuse of topical nasal vasoconstrictive decongestants. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among public people in Abha city, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted during the period from May to October 2018. The study targeted general population with exclusion of patients whom are using nasal decongestions for chronic diseases. The total sample obtained was 460. A pre-structured anonymous self-administered questionnaire about the usage of nasal decongestants, knowledge about their side effects, and perception of abuse of nasal decongestants was administered to each participant. The questionnaire responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science [SPSS version 23] using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Result: Of total 460 participants, [17.4%] were using nasal decongestant for more than three days [RM] and [82.6%] were not using nasal decongestants at all or were using it for less than three days. Significant relation reported between participants with rhinitis medicamentosa and age groups. More than half of participants [53.3%] who use nasal decongestants did not know about nasal decongestants overuse. Conclusion: In conclusion, majority of the respondents had poor knowledge about the recommended duration for nasal decongestants use and its complications. We need more efforts to increase awareness and knowledge about nasal decongestant. Key words: Rhinitis Medicamentosa, Nasal decongestants. Overuse, Duration

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