شيوع سوءمصرف قطره هاي بي حس كننده موضعي چشمي در بين جوشكاران شهر كرمان در سال1386

Prevalence ofAbuse ofOphtalmic Anesthetic Drops among Welders in Kerman City (2007)

Background & Aims: Abuse of topical anesthetic drops causes serious ocular complications. Obtaining information about the prevalence of anesthetic drops abuse among high risk groups specially welders is necessary for taking appropriate strategies for prevention. The present study aimed at determining tbe prevalence ofanesthetic drops abuseamongwelders in Kennan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 390 welders selected randomly were asked for the consumption of anesthetic drops by usinga questionnaire. Data wereanalyzed by SPSS 11.5 software. Results: In whole, 314 ones (80.5%) said that they use tetracaine and of whom 295 ones (93.9%) had used the drug frequently. Lack oftime for referring to Physician, highcost ofvisiting by physicians, spontaneous reliefof symptoms and no other therapeutic measure by physicians were the most important reasons of selftreatment in welders. In whole, 216 ones (69.3%) had heard aboutthese drugsfrom their coworkers, 85ones (27.2%) from physicians, 51 ones (16.3%) from pharmacy personnel and 9 ones (2.9%) from their family members. The prevalence of abuse was significantly higher in those with post secondary educational level (P<0.05). Mostof the subjects (97.4%) hadgot the drugs from pharmacies and withoutprescription. Conclusion: High prevalence ofanesthetic drops abuseamong weldersand probably other similarjobs and educated people, their prescription by general practitioners and their selling in pharmacies without prescription requires moreseriousmeasures for prevention.