Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Medication with Antibiotics for Children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Enas Hamdy Alfalogy

doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20170505.12

Abstract

Self-medication with antibiotics is becoming a very common practice, and it is being practiced globally carrying a significant economic burden and health hazards. This study assesses prevalence and predictors of self-medication with antibiotic for children. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 252 mothers selected randomly from primary health care Centers in Makkah, during the period Jan - July 2016. Mothers were interviewed about giving their children antibiotic without prescription using a semi structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using IBM advanced SPSS statistical package version 23. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine which of the factors are independently associated with self-medication with antibiotic for children. As a result, in total, 252 respondent mothers were interviewed with mean age 36.7±18.4. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotic for children was 39.3% despite that the majority 82.9% has satisfactory knowledge about proper antibiotic use. Amoxicillin clavulenic is the most self-prescribed antibiotic representing 53.3% followed by amoxicillin 25.6%. The predictors for self-medication were educational level, income, residence and knowledge about antibiotics use. It was concluded that, Self-medication with antibiotics for children is a common practice. Policies and considerable efforts are needed to challenge the self-medication with antibiotics especially increasing the awareness among mothers about the self-medication with antibiotics risks and hazards.

Highlights

Self-medication with antibiotics is an ongoing main global health problem
Sample was collected by using multistage random sample, first 5 primary health care centers were chosen from primary setting in Makkah about 50 mothers were selected by simple random sample in each selected center
252 respondent mothers were interviewed with mean age 36.7±18.4, 50.4% of them have more than two children less than 12 years, 68.8% have sufficient income and

Summary

Introduction

Self-medication with antibiotics is an ongoing main global health problem. It is defined as the use of non-prescribed medications by people on their own initiative or on the advice of another individual, without physician consultation [1]. Inappropriate and prevalent use of antibiotics could lead to occurrence of antibiotic resistance and treatment failure [2]. Numerous studies conveyed that selfprescription might lead to delay in seeking for health care which results in inconsistent economic loss resulting from failure or delay of diagnosis of underlying illnesses and proper treatment [4, 5]

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Conclusion