scholarly journals Why do people end up buying fake medicines online? A thematic analysis of newspaper articles

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i1-i1
Author(s):  
P Donyai ◽  
N Patel ◽  
H Almomani

Abstract Introduction The internet provides a platform for both legal and illegal online suppliers of medicines, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish between. Therefore, consumers accessing the internet are at risk of purchasing fake medicines from illegal suppliers. This is particularly problematic when people buy Prescription-Only Medicines (POMs) from the internet, despite an abundance of governmental campaigns 1. This under-researched issue has nonetheless been highlighted in news articles in the past few years which are a potential source of information, albeit informally, about how and why people end up buying fake medicines via the internet. This study is phase-1 of a larger study that aims to develop a questionnaire using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)2 to examine risky online purchasing of medicines to help focus future campaigns. Aim The aim is to identify the factors that lead people to inadvertently buy fake POMs online by examining newspaper articles covering this topic and categorising the findings according to the TPB’s indirect measures; namely, behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs. Methods Newspaper articles were collected from the electronic database “ProQuest” using a series of search words for retrieving newspaper articles covering the purchasing of fake medicines online throughout the world. The search was limited to articles published from April-2019 to March-2020 to retrieve relevant articles in this fast-developing field. Articles that did not focus on POMs or only covered the supply side (e.g. efforts to combat illegal suppliers) were excluded. After evaluating each article using the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 52 articles remained. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the newspaper articles against the TPB. The NVivo software program (version 12) was used to aid the generation of the themes. Results Using thematic analysis, 12 themes were generated and categorised according to the TPB’s indirect measures as follows. The behavioural beliefs (i.e. advantages and disadvantages of buying medicines online) included a perception of convenience, low price, privacy of the purchase, potential harmful effect, low quality, and lack of medical oversight. The normative beliefs (i.e. social factors influencing decisions to buy medicines online) included endorsement by influencers, deceptive marketing by suppliers, as well as organizations fighting the fake supply chain. The control beliefs (i.e. what encourages or stops purchasing medicines online) included encountering medicines shortages, outbreak of pandemic diseases, and accessibility issues. Conclusion This newspaper-analysis study created an initial map of ideas for why consumers might inadvertently buy fake POMs online highlighting the complexity of personal beliefs as well as a range of external circumstances. Further exploring these factors provides the basis for future campaigns for changing/controlling the purchasing of fake medicines online. Although the newspaper articles offer a wide range of data and provide different points of view, the validity of their content cannot be proven and are taken at face value. Therefore, the next step for this study is to complete semi-structured interviews with consumers purchasing medicines online (Phase-2) to verify the themes generated in Phase-1 before developing a larger questionnaire study (Phase-3). References 1. HM Government. Protect your health when buying medicines online. Accessed 08 October 2020 from: https://fakemeds.campaign.gov.uk/ 2. Ajzen, I. The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational behaviour and human decision processes. 1991; 50 (2),179–211.

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-236
Author(s):  
Balu Ramoo ◽  
Chong Yee Lee ◽  
Cheng Ming Yu

Despite various government efforts incorporating economic, social and political considerations in curbing emigration problem, brain drain remains an issue in Malaysia. This paper examines the determinants of migration from behavioural perspectives. Using Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model, the engineers’ salient beliefs on migrating abroad were elicited using qualitative analysis. A number of new behavioural, normative and control beliefs were identified. The elicitation of the engineers’ salient beliefs is essential in developing appropriate behavioural intervention programmes to reduce their intention to migrate abroad. The methodology developed in this study can also assist future researchers to identify the salient beliefs of people who have high intention to migrate abroad.


2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1855-1865 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Schomerus ◽  
H. Matschinger ◽  
M. C. Angermeyer

BackgroundMany people suffering from mental disorders do not seek appropriate help. We have examined attitudes that further or hinder help-seeking for depression with an established socio-psychological model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), comparing models for respondents with and without depressive symptoms.MethodA qualitative preparatory study (n=29) elicited salient behavioural (BB), normative (NB) and control beliefs (CB) that were later included in the TPB questionnaire. Telephone interviews with a representative population sample in Germany (n=2303) started with a labelled vignette describing symptoms of a major depression, followed by items covering the components of the TPB. Intention to see a psychiatrist for the problem described was elicited at the beginning and at the end of the interview. We screened participants for current depressive symptoms using the mood subscale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsIn non-depressed respondents (n=2167), a TPB path model predicted 42% of the variance for the first and 51% for the second question on intention. In an analogous model for depressed respondents (n=136), these values increased to 50% and 61% respectively. Path coefficients in both models were similar. In both depressed and non-depressed persons, attitude towards the behaviour was more important than the subjective norm, whereas perceived behavioural control was of minor influence.ConclusionsWillingness to seek psychiatric help for depression can largely be explained by a set of attitudes and beliefs as conceptualized by the TPB. Our findings suggest that changing attitudes in the general population are likely to effect help-seeking when people experience depressive symptoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1458-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Via-Clavero ◽  
Marta Sanjuán-Naváis ◽  
Marta Romero-García ◽  
Laura de la Cueva-Ariza ◽  
Gemma Martínez-Estalella ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the reported harms and ethical concerns about physical restraint use in the critical care settings, nurses’ intention to apply them is unequal across countries. According to the theory of planned behaviour, eliciting nurses’ beliefs regarding the use of physical restraints would provide additional social information about nurses’ intention to perform this practice. Aim: To explore the salient behavioural, normative and control beliefs underlying the intention of critical care nurses to use physical restraints from the theory of planned behaviour. Research design: A belief elicitation study was conducted. Participants and research context: Twenty-six critical care nurses were purposively sampled across gender, work-shift patterns and professional experience in five intensive care units of three hospitals in Spain. Data were obtained from a nine-item open-ended questionnaire and a focus group. Deductive content analysis was performed. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital ethics committee. Participants were assured their participation was voluntary. Findings: Nurses framed the use of restraints as a way of prioritising patients’ physical safety. They referred to contextual factors as the main reasons to justify their application. Nurses perceived that their decision is approved by other colleagues and the patients’ relatives. Some nurses started advocating against their use, but felt powerless to change this unsafe practice within an unfavourable climate. Control beliefs were linked to patients’ medical condition, availability of alternative solutions, analgo-sedation policies and work organisation. Discussion: Safety arguments based on the surrounding work environment were discussed. Conclusion: Nurses’ behavioural and control beliefs were related. Nurses should be trained in alternatives to physical restraint use. The impact of analgo-sedation protocols, relatives’ involvement, leadership support and intensive care unit restraint policies on physical restraint practices need to be revised. Further research is required to explore why nurses do not act with moral courage to change this harmful practice.


Author(s):  
Zainol Bidin ◽  
Mohd Farid Asraf Md Hashim ◽  
Zakiyah Sharif ◽  
Faridahwati Mohd. Shamsudin

Purpose – This study sought to investigate the factors that influence students’ intention to use the Internet for academic purposes in Universiti Utara Malaysia. This study applies theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the base model. The model employed the original variables from the theory i.e. attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention.   Method – A survey involving of questionnaires was conducted among 369 public university students. Multiple regression was employed to examine the factors influencing intention to use the Internet for academic purposes.   Findings – Results revealed that the variables attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are statistically significant in influencing intention to use the Internet for learning purposes. It was also found that 38% of the variance in students’ intention to use the Internet is cumulatively explained by their attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control.   Significance – The paper provides useful scientific insight into the relationships between attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control variables towards intention to use the Internet for academic purposes. The findings can be used to promote the use of Internet among students in enhancing their learning experience.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L Webb

Rationale and aims: The vast majority of patients seen in general practice present with a mental health component to their illness. Despite current clinical guidelines, suggesting referral to psychological-based treatments being a more appropriate course of action, anti-depressant prescription remains high for those suffering common mental health problems (CMHPs). This study aimed to investigate General Practitioners’ (GPs) behaviour regarding the prescription of antidepressants and referral to psychological-based treatment for individuals with CMHPs, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB).  Method: Online and postal questionnaires were developed in line with the TPB model following consultation, pilot study and cognitive debriefing. Questionnaires were distributed to all working GPs in Wales, UK. Data underwent statistical analysis.Results: Analysis of responses (n=127) showed a GP’s decision to prescribe antidepressants to patients with CMHPs is significantly influenced by both ‘attitude’ and ‘subjective norm’, while perceived behavioural control was non-significant. Over half of the study GPs did not feel in control of prescribing antidepressants to those with CMHPs. GPs’ intention to refer for psychological-based treatment was significantly influenced by attitude, while further analysis showed GPs did not feel in control of referring for psychological-based treatment.Conclusion: Using TPB helped to explain GPs’ antidepressant prescribing and referral to psychological-based treatment behaviours. GPs’ intention to prescribe and refer were shown to be moderated by behavioural and normative beliefs, while control beliefs were non-significant. The presence of personal experience as a predictable feature to prescribing and referral behaviour is something that could figure more prominently within early phases of medical training.


2021 ◽  
pp. 008124632110117
Author(s):  
Jason Bantjes ◽  
Sophia du Plessis ◽  
Ada Jansen ◽  
Krige Siebrits ◽  
Philip Slabbert

Despite the aggressive enforcement of speed limits, speeding remains the second leading cause of fatalities in vehicle accidents in South Africa. Speeding fines are one mechanism for enforcing speed limits; however, these are only effective deterrents against speeding if fines are enforced. The potential effectiveness of speeding fines to increase safety on South African roads is rendered almost obsolete because so many offenders default on payment. Our aim was to utilise the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a framework to explore motorists’ perceptions of factors that may influence the payment of speeding fines in Cape Town, South Africa. Self-report data were collected from participants who had received fines ( n = 268), about their speed fine-paying behaviour, their perceptions of the consequences of non-payment, subjective and social norms, and control beliefs about the ease with which fines can be paid and motorists’ ability to afford fines. Regression analysis showed that motorists who report paying their fines are more likely than those who do not pay to hold beliefs that non-payment will result in serious consequences, affirm injunctive norms supporting the payment of fines, believe that it is easy to pay fines, and are able to afford to pay. This study provides novel insights into the potential of theories of behaviour change to design evidence-based behavioural interventions to encourage motorists to comply with speeding fines and hence to improve road safety in South Africa.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Hamza Alhamad ◽  
Parastou Donyai

Background: many factors can impact a person’s behaviour. When the behaviour is subject to prediction, these factors can include, for example, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of performing the behaviour, normative beliefs, and whether the behaviour is thought to be achievable. This paper examines intentions to engage in medicines reuse, i.e., to accept medicines that are returned unused to a pharmacy to be reused. The paper aims to outline the validity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) for understanding people’s intentions to engage in medicines reuse by examining this against other long-standing health-related psychological theories of behavioural change. Thus, the Health Belief Model (HBM), Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), Trans-Theoretical Model of Health Behaviour Change (TTM/SoC), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and TPB are examined for their application in the study of medicines reuse. Discussion: the HBM, PMT, TTM/SoC, TRA, and TPB were assessed for their relevance to examining medicines reuse as a behaviour. The validity of the TPB was justified for the development of a Medication Reuse Questionnaire (MRQ) to explore people’s beliefs and intention toward reusing medicines. Conclusion: TPB has been widely used inside and outside of health-related research and it was found to have more accurately defined constructs, making it helpful in studying medicines reuse behaviour.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Regard ◽  
Django Rosa ◽  
Mélanie Suppan ◽  
Chiara Giangaspero ◽  
Robert Larribau ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundAccording to the theory of planned behaviour, the probability of executing an action is strongly linked to the intention of performing it. The aim of this study was to measure the variation over time of the three dimensions of the intention to perform resuscitation, i.e. attitude, subjective normative beliefs, and control beliefs.MethodsThe two largest companies delivering first aid courses in the region of Geneva, Switzerland, sent invitation e-mails on our behalf to people who had followed a first aid course in the last five years. Participants were asked to answer a set of 17 psychometric questions designed to assess each dimension of the intention to perform resuscitation. The primary outcome was the change in each dimension at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were the change in each dimension at one and two years and change in each individual question at 6 months, one year and two years.ResultsOut of 270 completed surveys, 204 were analysed. Control beliefs was the only dimension that displayed a significant change at 6 months (p < 0.001). Participants who had followed their last BLS course more than 6 months ago were however more prone to diffusion of responsibility, a key element of subjective normative beliefs (p = 0.001). Fear of legal action was higher in participants who had followed their last BLS course more than 2 years ago (p = 0.040).ConclusionsControl belief, a dimension of the intention to perform resuscitation, rapidly decreases after the last first aid course.


Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winner Dominic Chawinga ◽  
Sandy Zinn

The study reported on in this article investigated the use of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers in the Faculty of Information Science and Communications at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Mzuzu, Malawi. By distributing a questionnaire to 19 lecturers, conducting follow-up interviews with seven lecturers and analysing the curricula, the study showed that between 10 (58.8%) and 13 (76.5%) lecturers use Wikipedia, YouTube, blogs, Google Apps and Twitter to accomplish various academic activities, such as handing out assignments to students; receiving feedback from students; uploading lecture notes; searching for content; storing lecture notes; and carrying out collaborative educational activities. The study adopted the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (Taylor and Todd 1995) and the theory’s elements that strongly affected lecturers’ use of the technologies according to the results included attitude and perceived behaviour control. The study also found that poor Internet access remains the key stumbling block towards a successful adoption of Web 2.0 technologies by lecturers at MZUNI. To this end, the study recommends that the newly established Department of ICT Directorate with support from MZUNI management should install campuswide Wi-Fi and improve Internet bandwidth so that lecturers’ access to the Internet is not limited to their offices but rather is available in the teaching rooms across the campus.


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