Opinions of Steroids Users with No Indications and Those with Disorders from Steroids Consumption in Khantararak District, Sisaket

Abstract

Objective: To study the opinions of steroids users with no indications (SUNI) and SUNI refusing treatment for disorders from steriods in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province Method: A quantitative study using questionnaires to collect SUNI’s opinions in 4 areas including 1) attitudes and beliefs on steroids consumption 2) relevant lifestyles 3) marketing characteristics of steroids and 4) intention to use steroids. The qualitative study interviewed SUNI who refused treatment for disorders from steroids in the following areas 1) opinions at personal level, 2) opinions at interpersonal level, 3) opinions at organizational levels, and 4) opinions at community level. Results: The quantitative study revealed that the top three issues of steroids that SUNI believed were: 1) steroids could be bought for self-medication, 2) steroids were not expensive and affordable for use as needed, and 3) Yachud containing steroids could be easily accessed. In terms of lifestyle, SUNI had the top two opinion scores on 1) occupation or job causing illnesses such as pain, led them to purchase Yachud with steroids for use 2) Yachud was convenient for use because one set of Yachud was required for use in each episode of illness. For marketing issues, SUNI showed the highest scores of opinions on two areas 1) Yachud with steroids was advertised in multiple channels, and 2) Yachud with steroids was available in multiple channels. For the intention, SUNI had the top three opinions on the following areas: 1) Yachud with steroids was manufactured and packaged with accepted standard, 2) use Yachud with steroids because it was effective in treating various diseases, and 3) consumption of Yachud with steroids caused no adverse effects. Qualitative study found that the reasons of treatment refusal for disorders from steroids among SUNI were inadequate income, lack of care takers, lack of transportation to hospital, inaccessibility to the hospital due to long distances, and inadequate care from community and local administrative organizations. Conclusion: SUNI believed that steroids could be used for self-medication, affordable for use as much as needed, and easily accessed. SUNI’s refusal of treatment for disorders from steroids was due to inadequate income.