Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain information on supplements and health foods desired by consumers, as well as consumer demands in pharmacies and drugstores.
Method: We conducted a questionnaire survey of 740 patrons of two drugstores.  And data from this questionnaire survey was analyzed by simple and cross tables.
Results: We received responses from 206 patrons (response rate: 27.8%).  The level of recognition that some supplements should not be taken by consumers with past illnesses was low among those who are older than 50 years.  Furthermore, the percentage of the population that does not recognize the possibility of interactions between supplements was higher.  In addition, it was suggested that, regardless of the low recognition level, consumers did not try to improve their knowledge by obtaining more information.  People who take supplements to improve dietary imbalances were found to have a strong desire for a short course in pharmacies and drugstores, and they also desire supplement advisers to be available at each drugstore in comparison with people who don’t select the choice “to improve dietary imbalances”.
Conclusion: Thus, the present findings suggest that the level of consumers’ knowledge and their desired information differ depending on age.  Furthermore, consumers’ demands in pharmacies and drugstores differ depending on consumers’ intent to take supplements.  Therefore, it is important for pharmacists to provide information that is useful for individual consumers in consideration of consumers’ age and intent, and pharmacists must be able to independently identify consumers’ needs.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) frequently occurs in children worldwide. However, MIH prevalence throughout Japan has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to clarify MIH prevalence rates and to consider potential regional differences throughout Japan. METHODS: A total of 4496 children aged 7-9 years throughout Japan were evaluated in this study. MIH prevalence rates among children were evaluated in eight regions throughout Japan. A child's residence was defined as the mother's residence during pregnancy. The localization of demarcated opacities and enamel breakdown was recorded on a standard code form using a guided record chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether MIH prevalence rates differed among age groups, sex, and regions. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MIH in Japan was 19.8%. The prevalence of MIH was 14.0% in the Hokkaido region, 11.7% in the Tohoku region, 18.5% in the Kanto Shin-Etsu region, 19.3% in the Tokai Hokuriku region, 22.3% in the Kinki region, 19.8% in the Chugoku region, 28.1% in the Shikoku region, and 25.3% in the Kyushu region. These regional differences were statistically significant. Moreover, MIH prevalence rates decreased with age. No significant sex differences in MIH prevalence rates were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first MIH study carried out in several regions throughout Japan. Regional differences existed in MIH prevalence rates; particularly, MIH occurred more frequently in children residing in southwestern areas than those in northeastern areas of Japan.
Child ; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; epidemiology ; Male ; Prevalence