Knowledge, safety information, and purchasing behavior in online medicine buying among university students in Thailand: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background: : Online purchasing has made medicines easy to obtain, but safe use depends on appropriate information and knowledge of which products may lawfully be bought outside licensed pharmacy premises. Under the Thai Drug Act B.E. 2510, only limited household remedies may be sold outside pharmacies. We examined why students buy medicines online, what safety information they receive, and how well they recognize which products may lawfully be sold online. Methods An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted among 385 university students who had previously purchased medicines or health products online between December 2024 and January 2025. A structured questionnaire assessed purchasing motivations, safety information, and a ten-item knowledge index covering regulatory categories and specific marketed products. Descriptive statistics were used to summerise purchasing behaviour and information receipt. A prespecified logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge, following the STROBE guideline. Results Of the 385 participants, 205 (53.2%) had bought medicines online and 348 (90.4%) has purchased health products. Perceived prudouct quality or certification received the highest mean influence ranting (4.44 of 5), followed by convenience (4.25), resonable price (4.17), and privacy (4.15). Among medicine purchasers, only 46 (22.4%) received all five safety-information items; storage and side-effect information were supplied least…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 385 participants or records.
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