Prevalence and causes behind self-medication with antibiotics in Basrah

Abstract

Despite the global crisis of antibiotic resistance, the problem is aggravated in developing nations and regions where antibiotics can be given or obtained without a prescription. In Iraq, the prevalence and motivations for self-medication using antibiotics have not been well investigated from a community perspective. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence and causes of antibiotic self-medication in the community of Basrah, Iraq. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional household survey done between November 2021 and March 2022 using a structured questionnaire with a total sample of 470 participants. Result: Antibiotics were found to be utilized without a prescription by 74% of the respondents. “Disease regarded not serious for consultation” was found to be the most common reason for obtaining antibiotics without a prescription (35.1 % of the respondents) followed by “financial restrictions”: (30%) and “previous experience in the use of these antibiotics”: (25.0%). Conclusion: Given the significant prevalence of antibiotic self-medication, health authorities must take strong steps to enforce the rule prohibiting selling antibiotics without a prescription.