Results of a survey to evaluate the efficacy of a regional awareness campaign on counterfeit street medicines in Bamako, Mali and Nouakchott, Mauritania
Cuchet-Chosseler, M.; Bocoum, O.; Camara, M.; Abad, B.; Yamani, E.
Medecine Tropicale Revue du Corps de Sante Colonial 71(2): 152-156
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-682X PMID: 21695872 Document Number: 652688
The purpose of the report is to describe the results of a survey conducted among schoolchildren in Mali and Mauritania to evaluate the efficacy of an awareness campaign (essentially poster-based) on illegal street medicines. Under teacher supervision, a total of 3,182 schoolchildren (n=) completed a written questionnaire. Analysis of responses demonstrated that campaign was effective since 61% of the pupils had seen the posters in pharmacies and 61% had spoken about them with their parents. More than 84% of the pupils had already heard about the dangers associated with illegal medicine. Despite a number of disparities especially with regard to the price and dangers of illegal street medicine, the schoolchildren were knowledgeable about rules of conservation and outlets for purchase of legal medicine. The responses obtained from schoolchildren from Nouakchott and those attending private schools were generally better than those obtained from schoolchildren from Bamako and those attending the public schools.