Antibiotic Self-Medication (ASM) Among Non-Academic Staff Members of a Sri Lankan University; A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the knowledge, associating factors and utilization patterns of self-medication with antibiotics among non-academic staff members of a Sri Lankan University. This study was conducted as a descriptive cross sectional study in a selected university in Sri Lanka among those who were permanently attached to the university as non-academic staff. Consecutive sampling was done. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS, version-23 Three hundred and twenty participated in the study (response rate - 80%). Of them 61.5% were females and the mean age was 36.8±8.8 years. 40.2% self-medicated with antibiotics at least once during the past 12 months. Out of them 73.6% had used amoxicillin. Common diseases that were treated were common cold (68.2%), sore throat (52.7%) and fever (31.0). Common reasons for antibiotic self medication were that they had been prescribed with same medicines when they got similar symptoms in the past (78.2%), considering as a minor illness (43.4%) and to get a quick relief (40.3%). 78.3% had self medicated on their own and 92.2% had got them from a community pharmacy. 87.6% had stopped taking the antibiotics when their symptoms disappeared. 64.0% kept the leftover antibiotics at home for future usage. 91.3% consulted a doctor if the symptoms didn’t resolve after taking the antibiotic for few days. 43.4% got more than 60 marks in the questionnaire used to assess their knowledge on antibiotics. ASM is high among the sample we tested. They had inappropriate and harmful practices. ASM is a problem and the general public should be educated regarding the hazards of ASM.