Knowledge On Usage Of Thyroxin Tablet Among Primary Hypothyroidism Patients Attending Endocrinology Clinic At Teaching Hospital Jaffna

Abstract

Abstract: Hypothyroidism is a common condition in Sri Lanka as it is world-wide. Most of the people were getting treatment for hypothyroidism in Jaffna. By having good knowledge on usage of thyroxin medicine, can be improving the quality of life. The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge on usage of thyroxin tablet and assess relationship between sociodemographic factors and knowledge among primary hypothyroidism patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019, used interviewer administered questionnaire, include whole population who had primary hypothyroidism and SPSS 25 and chi square test were performed to found out the relationship. Among the participants’ majority were females (88.5%), in between age of eighteen to thirty and mean age was 37.5 years. Most of the participants (97.7%) knew thyroxin should be taken as once daily, 94.1% knew that thyroxin should take in early morning at empty stomach, 62% knew thyroxin should store in brown colour container. Only 19% knew that thyroxin can cause side effects, 40% was knew that consult the doctor when notice any side effects following ingestion of thyroxin however only 19% was knew that should consult the doctor if missed tablet more than 3 days. Nearly two third of the participants (64.9%) had poor knowledge. Factors were assessed and no relationship identified. To improve the patients’ knowledge, increase the availability of articles in newspapers, internet and books in their own mother tongue and small session can be carried out during clinics.