Abstract
The misconception and misuse of antibiotics among the public has been widely outlined to be one of the main reasons for bacterial resistance. The aim of the present study was to assess the practices, level of knowledge and attitudes regarding the rational and self-medication use of antibiotics in the general public in different districts of Baghdad province, Iraq. A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among 384 participants through an interview using a structured 3-parts questionnaire, consisting of 24 items assessing the demographic characteristics, practices, level of knowledge and attitude towards rational antibiotics use. 45.8% of the study participants reported self-medication of antibiotics without prescription. Flu/common cold and sore throat represented the majority of medical conditions for antibiotics intake without prescription (44.9%, 31.3%) respectively. Oral amoxicillin (34.1%) was the most common non-prescription antibiotic. 50.3% had education about the rational use of antibiotics. 41.4% reported intake of antibiotics after having medical advice, 44% suggested their antibiotics not to be used by other members, and 52.9% stated the importance of antibiotic education among the public. However, 57% of the respondents had negative attitudes regarding antibiotics use for sore throat/fever, the effectiveness of antibiotics for cold/flu (54.7%) and cough (49.2%), to keep antibiotics for future use (40.9%) and not completing the antibiotic course after feeling well (49.2%). A widespread use of antibiotics without prescription was reported, providing some crucial gaps and a lower level of practice, knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of antibiotics among a sample of the Iraqi population.
Highlights
The misconception and misuse of antibiotics among the public has been widely outlined to be one of the main reasons for bacterial resistance
This study revealed that a high percentage of the study participants (45.8%) reported self-medication of antibiotics without prescription
The results of our study showed that the study participants displayed an encouraging level of knowledge and attitudes regarding not taking antibiotics without a prescription or medical advice (41.4%), not using leftover antibiotic of a previously prescribed one (43.5%), not taking antibiotics from the retail pharmacy without having medical advice about symptoms and illness (36.2%)
Summary
The misconception and misuse of antibiotics among the public has been widely outlined to be one of the main reasons for bacterial resistance. The effectiveness of antibiotics becomes seriously critical as the irrational and overuses of these medicines results in an increased rate of infections with resistant bacterial strains. This becomes not a globally growing problem that contributes to real threats on public health and has been associated with delayed duration of therapy, prolonged hospitalization, treatment failure, increased mortality rate and increasing cost of treatment [4]. Literature estimates the average death of 25,000 people annually in Europe due to bacterial resistance [6] Both healthcare professionals and patients are responsible for this medical problem of antibiotic resistance.
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