Abstract
Objectives: To examine the prevalence and geographic distribution of unsafe products using risk
and possibility assessments of problem-solving using prioritizing unsafe products at provincial level in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken to rank the top 5 unsafe products
using risk and possibility assessments of problem-solving principles under Unsafe Product Issue
Prioritization Project in 4 Regions (60 provinces), during January to August 2014. The data were collected
by a health consumer protection pharmacist in each provincial public health office. Descriptive statistics
for the analysis, prevalence and geographic distribution of the unsafe products were employed. Results:
Thirty-one unsafe products were found. As for the prevalence of the top 5 unsafe products assessed at
national level, they were agricultural chemical residues in fruits, vegetables and salted fish, hazardous
chemicals in cosmetics, repeatedly-fried oil, steroids adulterated in health products and drug sole in the
community, and formalin contaminated food. Based on geographical conditions and public health services,
it was found that the prevalence of the most unsafe products in 4 regions was similar to that of the
national level. However, there were some slight differences in certain regions. Besides, it revealed that the
top 5 unsafe products at national level were distributed geographically in each province. Conclusions:
There were some similarities and differences among the conditions of unsafe products in different areas.
The differences could be due to the different factors in the areas such as consumer behavior, geographical
conditions affecting the distributions of goods, etc. These factors affected the selection of unsafe products,
as well as the risk and possibility assessments. Therefore, any relevant organizations should set appropriate
policies, measures or plans to solve such problems in all aspects.
