Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.25143/prom-rsu_2014-24_dts
Title: The Use of Non-Prescription Medicines, Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements in Latvia. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
Other Titles: Bezrecepšu medikamentu, vitamīnu un uztura bagātinātāju lietošana Latvijā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums
Authors: Dobelniece, Signe
Salmane-Kuļikovska, Ieva
Keywords: Summary of the Doctoral Thesis;Non-prescription medicines and products;medicines;vitamins;nutritional supplements;determinants;patterns;associated factors;rationality
Issue Date: 2014
Publisher: Rīga Stradiņš University
Citation: Salmane-Kuļikovska, I. 2014. The Use of Non-Prescription Medicines, Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements in Latvia: Summary of the Doctoral Thesis: Sub-Sector – Sociology. Rīga: Rīga Stradiņš University. https://doi.org/10.25143/prom-rsu_2014-24_dts
Abstract: Consumption of medicines in Latvia increases every year. Widespread availability of non-prescription medicines, vitamins and nutritional supplements changes individuals from patients into consumers and also promotes for false perceptions – a tendency to think that no risk is associated with the use of these products. Using non-prescription products, consumers often do not consult medical experts, and users’ behaviour is influenced by other information sources and different social factors. Recommendations of WHO suggest that each territory may possess distinctive patterns and determinants of medicines’ and other pharmaceutical products’ use. Identifying the regionally-specific situation may help elaborate programmes promoting for rational use of medicines and other non-prescription products. Like in other countries, public health programmes in Latvia enclose the concept “rational use of medicines”. This concept is multidimensional; for individuals the “rationality” of taking medicines and remedies is based on the (re)interpretation of their value to the consumer – perceived efficiency and necessity of these medicines, and this perception is influenced by cultural and socio-economic factors. The theoretical part of the thesis encloses examination of user’s behaviour from different perspectives – mutual impact of the agency and the structure and also linkage between the individual and the system. The influence of the structure manifests itself in individuals’ different lifestyle patterns – both health lifestyle and also consumer’s characteristics. The Theory of the Communicative Action by J. Habermas is the basis for characterizing linkage between individual and system. Empirical study examines the impact and association between the use of non-prescription products and a number of factors, derived out of the analysis of the theoretical literature and empirical research evidence. The impact of the factors on the use of non-prescription medicines and products and association between the variables are identified with a help of quantitative research methods. The study particularly focuses on the rationality of a user – individual’s perceptions regarding efficiency, properties, necessity and significance of medicines and also the impact of this subjective rationality on the use of non-prescription products.
Description: The Doctoral Thesis is elaborated in Rīga Stradiņš University. Defence: on October 3, 2014 at 10.00 at an open meeting of Doctoral Council of Sociology of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), 16 Dzirciema Street, Rīga, at the Hippocrates Lecture Theatre.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25143/prom-rsu_2014-24_dts
License URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Appears in Collections:2010.–2014. gadā aizstāvētie promocijas darbi un kopsavilkumi

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