Airport Passengers’ OTC Medication Needs and Pharmacy Access in Sterile Areas

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the health needs of airport passengers and their level of access to pharmacy services.
Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing data collected through a survey of 383 participants conducted at Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) and Istanbul Airport (IST) in Türkiye, the research employs binary logistic regression analysis to predict passengers’ medication-carrying behavior and thematic content analysis to evaluate qualitative insights.
Results – The findings reveal a critical gap in healthcare access; 93.4% of passengers who needed medication in post-check-in areas reported being unable to access it. Logistic regression results indicate that the presence of a chronic illness (OR=2.416) and experiencing health issues after check-in (OR=3.565) are the most significant predictors of passengers carrying personal medication. Additionally, 85.4% of participants were unaware of existing airport pharmacies, and 89.6% stated that establishing pharmacies in post-check-in sterile zones is essential.
Discussion – The research highlights the need for a comprehensive restructuring of healthcare services within airport infrastructures. In this context, the strategic planning of pharmacy locations, guidance systems, product variety, and health counseling is recommended.