Abstract
The study was designed to assess the sources and pattern of procurement, knowledge and attitude of consumers of antibacterial agents and the appropriateness of use in respect of respiratory tract infections. Buyers at the point of purchase were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. 65 respondents were randomly selected among buyers who had duly signed prescriptions but without prior laboratory tests. Sputum samples were collected for microbiology, culture and sensitivity to match up for appropriateness with requested antibacterial. 40 % of the study population believed that laboratory test was not required before the use of antibacterial. 27% of the respondents have tertiary education and only 4% have a monthly income in excess of N100, 000 ( US$750). The observed knowledge and behavior was closely associated with sex, education and financial strength of respondents (P 0.001). Tetracycline has the lowest zone of inhibition (ZOI) in males and females. The number of buyers with inappropriately written prescriptions prior to laboratory investigations was significantly higher than those that where appropriately written (P 0.1). Campaign on rational drug use at the point of sales of antibacterial agents is seriously required in order to reduce the development of drug resistance in the study area.
Highlights
There is growing realization that the world is scrapping the bottom of the antibiotic barrel.1 In response to this, a number of national and international bodies have outlined strategies to combat this problem. 2, 3 One example is the United Kingdom’s Campaign on antibiotics treatment which include four basic steps namely ; no prescribing of antibiotics for simple coughs and colds, no prescribing of antibiotics for viral sore throats, limit prescribing for uncomplicated cystitis to 3 days in women who are otherwise fit and limit prescribing of antibiotics over the telephone to exceptional cases. 3 The care and treatment of people with respiratory tract infections (RTI) with prescribing of antibiotics in adults and children in primary care may call for caution
4 These symptoms may peak after 2-3 days and gradually clears, the cough may persist for 2-3 weeks before it clears due to the inflammation caused by the infection. 5 Rational use of antibiotics may reduce the chances of development of opportunistic infections by antibiotic resistant bacteria
Sputum samples Sputum samples were obtained from male and female subjects randomly selected from the study population among those who had a prescription for antibacterial without prior laboratory test
Summary
There is growing realization that the world is scrapping the bottom of the antibiotic barrel. In response to this, a number of national and international bodies have outlined strategies to combat this problem. 2, 3 One example is the United Kingdom’s Campaign on antibiotics treatment which include four basic steps namely ; no prescribing of antibiotics for simple coughs and colds , no prescribing of antibiotics for viral sore throats , limit prescribing for uncomplicated cystitis to 3 days in women who are otherwise fit and limit prescribing of antibiotics over the telephone to exceptional cases. 3 The care and treatment of people with respiratory tract infections (RTI) with prescribing of antibiotics in adults and children in primary care may call for caution. 3 The care and treatment of people with respiratory tract infections (RTI) with prescribing of antibiotics in adults and children in primary care may call for caution. In the past both doctors and IJBAR (2010) 01(03) www.ijbar.co.in. 5 Staphylococcus aureus, colloquially called Staph aureus is one of the major resistant pathogens found on the mucous membrane of about a third of the population and extremely adaptable to antibiotic pressure. This was the first bacterium in which penicillin resistance was found in 1947, just four years after the drug was being mass produced. Pathogenic streptococci are classified as α, β or ∂- hemolytic organisms based on their hemolytic properties. 9 Most respiratory infections are caused by streptococci species. 10, 11 This study seeks to evaluate the pattern of prescribed antibacterial and the appropriateness in cases where prescriptions were done without laboratory tests in streptococcal infections of the respiratory tract
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