[Attitudes and practices in the Sahelian Tunisian population regarding drug usage]

Drugs occupies a strategic place in health care expenses. However, irrational practices characterize its utilization by all actors and particularly the population. The objective of this populational study is to identify attitudes and practices of the households of the sanitary region of Sousse (Tunisia) in the domain of medicine use. It is a descriptive survey concerning a representative sample of 402 households distributed in four localities (two urban, one semi-urban and one rural). Data have been collected through a questionnaire managed during an interview with the family's member (most often the chief of the household). We found that beliefs of the population are often erroneous (the expensive medicines are considered more efficient by 52% of interrogated persons and practices were often maladjusted (Self medication, insufficient compliance). A community mobilization via an education of health oriented by results of this exploratory survey would be an important component of the global strategy of promotion of the rational use of drugs in our country.