TABLE 3.
Results of the benefits and risks scales measuring how individuals rate online medication shopping on a five-point Likert scale (1 being “I don’t agree”, 5 “I agree”) and the Spearman’s rho correlation to the direct attitude toward online medications purchase.
| Benefits | Statements for potential benefits | Mean value (SD) |
|---|---|---|
| Statements | Fast | 3.56 (1.31) |
| Convenient | 4.18 (1.13) | |
| Inexpensive | 3.18 (1.20) | |
| Products can be compared faster and more easily than in the pharmacy | 3.46 (1.33) | |
| I can get more information compared to the pharmacy | 3.05 (1.38) | |
| Individuals who can’t get to a pharmacy can also purchase products | 4.11 (1.15) | |
| I can purchase medicines beyond opening hours | 4.16 (1.16) | |
| I can access products which are otherwise not available to me | 3.29 (1.36) | |
| Sum of Benefits scale | Mean = 31.43, SD = 7.77, Min = 9 Max = 45 | |
| Correlation of Benefits scale with direct attitudes toward online medication purchase | Correlation Coefficient (p) | |
| Regularity prior to March 2020 | 0.371 (p < 0.001) | |
| Regularity following March 2020 | 0.430 (p < 0.001) | |
| Likelihood of purchasing in the future (in 2022) | 0.552 (p < 0.001) | |
| Risks | Statements for potential disadvantages | Mean value (SD) |
| Statements | I may not get the right product | 3.33 (1.32) |
| I do not get proper information regarding the use of the products | 3.47 (1.31) | |
| The source of the product is not reliable or controlled | 3.27 (1.31) | |
| It is easier to abuse preparations | 3.66 (1.30) | |
| Due to the delivery time, I’m getting the drug later compared to a pharmacy | 3.47 (1.26) | |
| There is no control, so I can get products I don’t need or worsens my condition | 3.44 (1.32) | |
| It is hard for me to choose between the vast numbers of products | 3.25 (1.28) | |
| The quality of the product is lower compared to those found in local pharmacies | 2.71 (1.28) | |
| I may get illegal, substandard or falsified medicines | 3.26 (1.38) | |
| Sum of Risks Scale | Mean = 29.85.43 SD = 8.90 Min = 9 Max = 45 | |
| Correlation of Risk scale with direct attitudes toward online medication purchase | Correlation Coefficient (p) | |
| Regularity prior to March 2020 | −0.315 (p < 0.001) | |
| Regularity following March 2020 | −0.370 (p < 0.001) | |
| Likelihood of purchasing in the future (in 2022) | −0.474 (p < 0.001) | |