Practices, Perceptions, and Trust of The Public Regarding Online Medication Purchasing In Jakarta In 2026

The rapid growth of digital technology has increased the use of online platforms for purchasing medicines, offering greater convenience while raising concerns regarding medicine safety, product authenticity, and public trust. This study aimed to analyze the practices, perceptions, and trust of the public regarding online medication purchasing in Jakarta in 2026 and to examine their relationships with respondents’ demographic characteristics. A quantitative observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 385 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire consisting of practices, perceptions, and trust domains measured with a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used for univariate analysis, while Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied for bivariate analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that 70.6% of respondents demonstrated good practices, 68.3% had positive perceptions, and 74.0% reported high trust toward online medication purchasing. Educational level and frequency of internet use were significantly associated with practices, perceptions, and trust (p < 0.001), whereas age and gender showed no significant association. Significant positive correlations were also observed among practices, perceptions, and trust. These findings indicate that higher educational attainment and greater internet use contribute to more favorable behaviors, perceptions, and trust regarding online medication purchasing. Strengthening digital health literacy and promoting the use of authorized online pharmacy platforms are essential to support safe and rational online medicine purchasing.