Antibiotic Self-medication Research Articles

Prevalence and pattern of self-medication with antibiotics among residents of Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria: a call for action

Background: Antibiotic self-medication occurs worldwide, and it is a major driver of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance. In developing countries like Nigeria, antibiotics are frequently sold as over-the-counter medications. There is a need to explore this pattern, aiding stakeholders in informed decision-making. We assessed the prevalence and pattern of antibiotic self-medication among the residents of Abia State. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible adults in the State with respondents selected using the multistage sampling technique. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 and the level of significance was set at 5%. Results: A total of 1,491 respondents were surveyed. The mean age was 34.7±13.1 years and females constituted 55.7%. The overall prevalence of antibiotic self-medication was 46.5% (95%CI: 43.9-49.1). The majority of the respondents took self-medication for cough (48.6%) and ampicillin/cloxacillin was the major antibiotic used (30.1%). The reason for antibiotic self-medication mostly reported was the perception of minor illness (62.7%). Most (52.4%) of the respondents got the antibiotics from pharmacies without prescriptions. The predictors of antibiotic self-medication included residence (aOR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.12-5.30), retention of previous prescriptions (aOR=10.98, 95% CI: 4.40-27.47), storage of leftover antibiotics (aOR=4.13, 95% CI: 1.79-9.54) and perceived susceptibility of antibiotic self-medication (aOR=4.96, 95% CI: 1.71-14.39). Conclusions: Close to half of the residents practiced antibiotic self-medication with its pattern identified. We recommend tailored strategies including appropriate health education and enforcement of regulatory policies to promote community antibiotic stewardship.

A community based study to assess the reasons behind self-medication ofantibiotics among college students

Self-medication with antibiotics among college students is a growing concern due to its potential adverse effect and emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence, reasons, and associated factors of self-medication with antibiotics among college students in Dakshin Kannada. Understanding the extent of self-medication practices and underlying motivations can inform targeted interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the risks associated with inappropriate antibiotic use.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among college students to assess self-medication practices with antibiotics. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic characteristics, self-medication behaviour, reasons for self-medication, sources of antibiotics, knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. The data were analysed.Demographic analysis revealed a predominantly young population, with 67.4% of respondents admitting to practicing self-medication with antibiotics. Convenience, cost-saving, and previous successful experiences with antibiotics were identified as primary motivations for self-medication. Antibiotics were often obtained from leftoverprescriptions or through informal channels like friends or family members. Awareness of the risks associated with self-medication was relatively low, but a significant proportion of students sought professional medical advice afterward, particularly in cases of persistent or worsening symptoms.The study highlights the widespread practice of self-medication with antibiotics among college students, driven by factors such as convenience and cost-saving. Efforts to improve education and awareness on self-medication of antibiotic are warranted to promote responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance among community members in Neno District rural Malawi: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesDespite global efforts to address antibiotic self-medication, it is still significantly prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and assess knowledge of antibiotic resistance among community members in Neno District, rural Malawi. MethodsA cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted from September to November 2023, using simple random sampling across 169 villages. Participants from two households per village were surveyed using a “drug bag” method, focusing on those who had taken antibiotics within the preceding 6 months. In addition, drug retailers were selected via snowball sampling for interviews. ResultsOf the 531 participants and 39 drug retailers, 71.1% reported antibiotic use, with 69.5% self-medicating in the past 6 months, with convenience (31.5%) and confidence (26.7%) being the reasons. Common symptoms prompting self-medication included cough (29.9%), sore throat (28.6%), and aches and pain (28.6%). Amoxicillin (61.1%) and cotrimoxazole (29.6%) were the most used antibiotics. More than half (53.1%) reused leftover antibiotics from health facilities, with employed participants significantly more likely to self-medicate. Awareness of antibiotic resistance was low (16.1%), mainly learned from hospitals. Unlawful antibiotic sales by drug retailers (46.2%) were noted. ConclusionsThe study highlights the urgent need for government-led efforts to regulate antibiotic use and increase public awareness to mitigate the impact on public health.

Antibiotic Use Awareness and Practices in the Indian Community During Later Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: An increased overuse of antibiotics coupled with dearth of newer alternatives has worsened antibiotic resistance in LMIC’s like India. The prescription of antibiotics for symptoms similar to COVID-19 infection has aggravated the problem of antibiotic overuse, further worsening antibiotic resistance. This study aims at understanding not only the extent of overuse, but also the social patterns and causes of over-prescription or self medication of antibiotics in India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the knowledge, attitude and practices on antibiotic use was conducted from September to October, 2022, using a Google form questionnaire. A virtual snowball technique was used to recruit respondents. Results: A total of 309 responses were received (56% female and 44% male). 59.5% of the respondents were between 15 to 30 years. Surprisingly, in spite of a majority of respondents (around 70%) having a health sciences background, 67.8% of respondents falsely believe that antibiotics speed up recovery from most coughs and colds. 94.8% of respondents had used antibiotics in the last one year. 17.2% of respondents had taken antibiotics without the prescription of a doctor. The most common antibiotic used on prescription and self-medication was Azithromycin. Only 20.7% of respondents took antibiotics on suspicion of having COVID-19, with the most common one being Azithromycin. Conclusion: The study highlights that a greater knowledge on antibiotic use does not necessitate better attitude towards their cautious and rational use. The use of antibiotics for self-limiting indications like cough, cold and sore throat needs to be restricted through stricter regulations.

Self-medication with antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study among adults in Tema, Ghana.

Antibiotic self-medication is one of the common causes of antibiotic resistance of bacterial organisms. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new paradigm shift and significantly influenced healthcare behaviors, including an increase in antibiotic self-medication, which contributes to antibiotic resistance. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and the possible associated factors during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic among adult residents of Tema in Ghana from April to July 2021. Using a cross-sectional design, 400 adults were randomly selected and surveyed using a researcher-assisted questionnaire. Data were analyzed with IBM® SPSS® Statistics Version 22.0, considering associations significant at a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). Of the 400 respondents, (76%) 304 had practiced antibiotic self-medication within the previous 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant factors associated with antibiotic self-medication included gender, age, marital status, education, occupation, and National Health Insurance Scheme subscription. Convenience and avoiding long hospital queues were primary non-medical reasons for antibiotic self-medication, while previous successful experience, easy access to antibiotics, treating symptoms, prophylaxis, and fear of hospital infection were the medical reasons for antibiotic self-medication. Commonly self-administered antibiotics were azithromycin (34%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (22%), and metronidazole (16%) for perceived respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections. The high prevalence of antibiotic self-medication observed during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for enhanced public education and stricter enforcement of regulations governing antibiotic sales. The non-medical and medical factors of convenience, avoiding long hospital queues, previous successful experience, easy access to antibiotics, treating symptoms, prophylaxis, and fear of hospital infection which motivated antibiotic self-medication practices require the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

A cross-sectional analysis of antibiotic use: Attitudes and practices in the Albanian community

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance (AR) represents a global health challenge. Within the coordinated efforts to tackle AR, community education is a key strategy to enhance awareness and improve antibiotic use. The current study intends to investigate the Albanian community's attitude and practices regarding antibiotic use, including recent health related developments, like COVID-19. MethodsA cross sectional survey was conducted among Albanian residents between December 2022 and March 2023, using a standardized questionnaire which featured three sections covering demographic data, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use. Statistical analysis included both descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test to assess relationships between categorical variables. ResultsThe questionnaire was effectively completed by 519 participants. The majority were females (70.1 %) within the 18–30 age range (55.5 %) and had a college/university degree (93.3 %). 53.4 % reported antibiotic use without a medical prescription, with amoxicillin and azithromycin being the most used antibiotics. Commonly cited reasons for antibiotic use were self-reported symptoms such as flu/common cold, sore throat, cough, and fever (82.3 %). 69.0 % reported following prescribed antibiotic courses, with higher adherence among females and those with higher education. Awareness of AR was considerable (78.0 %), with females evidencing more awareness compared to males. Only 34.3 % of participants reported antibiotic use for COVID-19, mostly after testing positive, with azithromycin being the most frequently used antibiotic. ConclusionsOur study highlights concerning trends in antibiotic self-medication and awareness gaps in prudent antibiotic use emphasizing the need for tailored educational programs, regulatory oversight, and robust surveillance systems in Albania's healthcare.

Prevalence and Determinants of the Use of Antibiotics by Self-Medication in the Pediatric Population in Oujda, Morocco.

Antibiotic resistancedriven by antibiotic self-medication and inappropriate use of antibioticsis a growing global health threat. Our study aimed to describe parents' self-medication practices with antibiotics, determine the factors favoring their use in the pediatric population, and assess parents' knowledge of the role of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. We conducted a cross-sectional study over two months (September and October 2023). Data collection was performed using a questionnaire-guided interview. We included 460 parents of children consulting or hospitalized in the Pediatric Department of the University Hospital Mohammed VI in Oujda, Morocco. A total of 62% of parents questioned were mothers.Self-medication with antibiotics was noted in 313 families (68%). Parents used antibiotics mainly to treat cough (43%) and fever (24%).Betalactams were the antibiotic class most used by parents (72%). Information on dosageand methods of antibiotic administration was provided by pharmacy staff but was not respected by most parents (78%).Efficacy of treatment (58%), saving consultation costs and time (47%), and the ease of obtaining treatment without a prescription (42%) were reported in the majority of cases as reasons for using antibiotics by self-medication. In our context, the probability of self-medicating with antibiotics in the pediatric population is increased by female gender (OR=1.04), low level of education (OR=1.02), low socio-economic status (OR=1.09), and buying antibiotics without a prescription (OR=1.22). Although antibiotic self-medication in children is a worldwide phenomenon, influenced by several geographical, cultural, and economic factors, there is an urgent need to promote a global health strategy.

The use of antibiotics during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude, and practices among antenatal care attendees in Northern Ghana.

The promotion of rational use of antibiotics among pregnant women is eminent not only for the risk of teratogenicity in the developing fetus but also the risk of drug resistance with its concomitant high cost of health care. Studies on antibiotic self-medication among pregnant women in Northern Ghana are rare. Improving the knowledge and awareness among the vulnerable groups about the appropriate use of antibiotics can help in limiting the antibiotic resistance menace. We, therefore, conducted this study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward antibiotic use among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a primary health care in Tolon, Northern Region, Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional study using an interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess the KAP of 702 pregnant women on antibiotic use. This study was conducted in the Tolon Health Center (THC) from March 2021 and ended in October 2021. In this study, 55.6% of pregnant women had good knowledge and 45.3% of them had engaged in self-medication with antibiotics while pregnant. There were statistically significant associations between participants' background and obstetric characteristics and knowledge of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, except for age, marital status, and parity. Also, there was a significant association between pregnant women's knowledge and self-medication or over-the-counter purchase of antibiotics. We concluded that higher education level, monthly income, good practice, and good knowledge were significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of self-medication with antibiotics. A well-structured education that could be easily accepted and understood by pregnant women on the risks of antibiotic self-medication should be included in the routine education at the antenatal clinics.

RECOGNIZING CHILD PARENTAL ANTIBIOTIC SELFMEDICATION: ORIGINS, TRENDS, AND CONSEQUENCES

Objective: Identifying parental reasons for self-treating children under ten years of age with antibiotics and theirpublic health implications for creating targeted interventions for antibiotic control reports of infectious disease.Study Design: A Cross-sectional StudyPlace and Duration of Study: From 11- January 2023 to 11-July 2023, this research was carried out at thePeoples university of Medical Health Sciences Nawab Shah Department of Pediatrics.Materials and Methods: 100 kids under ten who got antibiotics from their parents without a prescription wereincluded in the study. Parents were questioned using a pre-made, structured questionnaire written in English andtranslated into Urdu. We investigated the factors that affect parents’ understanding of the hazards associated withoverusing antibiotics as well as their decision to self-administer antibiotics to their children.Results: Important information on parental antibiotic self-medication was found in the research. The antibioticsmost often overused were azithromycin, co-amoxiclav, cefixime, and clarithromycin. The most common reasons forself-administration of antibiotics were fever, skin rashes, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Mothers were the primary initiatorsof antibiotic use, closely followed by male children beginning their consumption. These findings highlight the need forfocused initiatives, especially when it comes to treating common pediatric diseases, to raise parental knowledge of theproper use of antibiotics and the possible hazards associated with indiscriminate self-medication.Conclusion: It is exceedingly unusual for parents to give their kids medications on their own, which leads to theexcessive use of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance. The entire public, especially parents, shouldbe made aware of this situation to halt the danger to global health. Policies that prohibit easy access to antibioticsshould be applied with greater efficacy.Keywords: Parental antibiotic self-medication, Children Causes Awareness, Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotics Self-Medication Among Students at Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli

Background and aim. Antibiotics self-medication is a global phenomenon that is prevalent in developing countries due to inadequate monitoring controls. The current study conducted to assess the practice of self-medication among paramedical students at Faculty of Medical Technology. Methods. A pre-validated questionnaire was dispersed through google forms, and students were asked to report antibiotic use with or without prescription in the year 2022. The questions enclosed demographic characteristics, course completion, frequency of antibiotic use, condition for which it was used, and type of antibiotic used were all covered. Results. A total of 168 forms were completed. Prevalence of antibiotic use with and without a prescription was relatively high (42.9%). Among the survey students who utilized an antibiotic without a prescription, 17.4% they stopped the use of antibiotic without finishing the treatment course. The most frequently obtained antibiotic without prescription was Augmentin®. Tonsillitis, flu, upper respiratory tract infection, and urinary tract infection were the conditions for which antibiotics were used. Conclusion. Irrational use of antibiotics is common among university students and need effective interventions directed to increase students understanding of the problems associated with such practice.

Exploring Antibiotic Self Medication Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Study among Patients in Multiple Hospitals

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the multifaceted impact of self-medication with antibiotics, delving into its implications for public health. The potential repercussions of self-medication extend beyond individual well-being. This study investigates the broader consequences, including the wastage of crucial healthcare resources, the development of antibiotic resistance, adverse reactions, delays in seeking appropriate medical care, and the exacerbation of common illnesses. By understanding the complexities surrounding self-medication, particularly with antibiotics, we aim to contribute valuable insights to inform public health strategies, medical interventions, and educational campaigns.&#x0D; The research seeks to identify patterns, motivations, and behaviors associated with self-medication, shedding light on the factors that drive individuals to bypass professional medical advice. With a focus on antibiotics, a class of drugs critical for treating bacterial infections, the study aims to highlight the potential risks and challenges posed by unsupervised antibiotic use.&#x0D; Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted from September 13 to September 25, 2022, investigates self-medication with antibiotics among 300 patients from five hospitals. Employing a confidential 20-question questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews, the research aims to understand prevalence and patterns of self-medication. Quantitative data analysis utilizes parametric Z-tests through SPSS Software (version 21). Ethical considerations include obtaining approval, ensuring informed consent, and maintaining confidentiality. Limitations include potential selection and recall bias associated with convenience sampling and self-reported data, respectively.&#x0D; Findings: Among the 300 participants, 47% were male, and 53% were female. The majority were adults aged between 20 to 40 years, with 64% from Rawalpindi. Over 50% of participants had matriculation or higher education. Ninety-seven percent of people had used antibiotics at least once in their life, with 63% practicing self-medication. Notably, 49% self-medicated 1-5 times in the past year. The primary reasons for self-medication included convenience (47%), personal experience (34%), and previous doctor's prescriptions (32%). Only 36% completed the prescribed antibiotic course. A significant percentage (71%) never changed the dosage of antibiotics, while 22% sometimes altered the dosage. Switching antibiotics during the course occurred in 21% of cases, primarily because the initial treatment was ineffective. Additionally, 51% of participants believed they could successfully treat common infections with antibiotics. Most participants (63%) stopped taking antibiotics if they experienced side effects during the course. A majority (62%) did not complete the antibiotic course after early symptom relief. Regarding dosage, 74% of participants believed that larger antibiotic doses did not guarantee quicker action. Furthermore, 36% of participants occasionally gave prescribed antibiotics to sick family members, and 10% always did.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research significantly advances our understanding of antibiotic self-medication across theoretical, policy, and practical dimensions. The study intricately explores the prevalence and nuanced patterns characterizing patients' self-medication behaviors with antibiotics, thereby contributing to the refinement of existing theoretical frameworks in healthcare behavior. The comprehensive insights gained from this research provide a foundation for a more sophisticated understanding of the intricate interplay of factors influencing patients' decisions regarding antibiotic use. This understanding enables the formulation of targeted policies aimed at mitigating the potential risks associated with unsupervised antibiotic use, contributing to broader public health initiatives combating antibiotic resistance and ensuring the well-being of communities.

Antibiotics Use, Resistance and Self-medication Practices among Healthcare Workers in a Federal Teaching Hospital in Southwest, Nigeria

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health, and inappropriate drug use, including antibiotic self-medication, has been identified as an important factor in developing countries. This study assessed the knowledge, and attitude of antibiotic use and antibiotics resistance, as well as the practice of self-medication among healthcare workers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a federal teaching hospital in Southwest, Nigeria among 320 healthcare workers selected through a two-stage sampling technique. A thirty-four-item self-administered semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the questionnaire on antibiotic resistance: multi-country public awareness survey by the WHO was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and logistic regression were carried out using SPSS version 25.0. The mean ±SD age of the participants was 36.3 ±9.2years and over one-third (37.5%) of them had 6-10years of experience. About two-thirds (66.3%) of the participants had good knowledge about antibiotic use and resistance while only 39.4% had positive attitudes. The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was 30%. The identified positive predictors of antibiotics self-medication included having primary education (AOR:5.874, 95%CI:1.020-33.836) compared with tertiary education, poor knowledge (AOR:1.683, 95%CI:1.015-2.789) compared with good knowledge about antibiotic use and resistance as well as negative attitude (AOR:1.861, 95%CI:1.102-3.143) compared with a positive attitude towards antibiotic use and resistance. The level of knowledge and attitude in this study was suboptimal. Self-medication was linked with a lower level of education, poor knowledge, and a negative attitude. Therefore, we recommend the provision of appropriate health education to promote the rational use of antibiotics.

Prevalence and determinants of antibiotics self-medication among indigenous people of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesSelf-medication with antibiotics (SMA) contributes significantly to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in low-income countries including Bangladesh. This study aimed to generate evidence on the self-reported prevalence of...

Assessing the Impact of Self-Medication with Antibiotics Among Medical Students

Self-medication is different from self-care in that it uses drugs, which might be helpful or detrimental. According to a number of studies, improper self-medication carries significant health concerns like unpleasant side effects, prolonged pain, and drug dependence. Objective: To explore the adverse effects of self-medication with antibiotics among medical students. Methods: Over the course of seven months, from November 2022 to May 2023, a multi-institutional cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Medical and Dental College of the University of Faisalabad and Bahria University Health Sciences, Karachi (BUHS). The ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of BUHS (Ref: ERC/05/2023) and Institutional Review Board of The University of Faisalabad (Ref: TUF/IRB/153/2022). A sample size was calculated by OpenEpi website calculator. Microsoft excel was used to store the data and IBM SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis. A self-designed performa was used to collect data. Results: There was a total of 1340 students in our survey, and an equal number of students 670 (50%) were recruited from each institute. 414 (61.8%) students from BUHS and 494 (73.7%) from UMDC were found to have self-medication practices. 39.9% and 38.2% of the students from 1st year and 2nd year of medical education were found to self-medicate. 69.5% of the hostelite students were found to self-medicate antibiotics. Conclusions: Our research can be concluded as self-medication of antibiotics is a common practice among future health care professionals, with the highest incidence seen in the 1st and 2nd year of medical education. Several adverse symptoms arising due to this practice were seen with the highest being tiredness and dizziness.

Risk factors of self-medication with antibiotics for acute pharyngitis

Background: Self-medicating with antibiotics is prevalent in low- and middle-income nations. This research sought to assess the perspectives on antibiotic usage and self-medication in case of acute pharyngitis, as well as the factors linked to self-medication among patients of a family doctor's clinic in Lublin, Poland.&#x0D; Methods: A original, fully anonymous survey was conducted among patients of a family doctor's clinic in Lublin. The descriptive statistics of answers in questionnaires and Automatic Linear Modeling Regression (LINEAR) was applied to point out the most significant predictors of the antibiotics misuse. &#x0D; Results: A response number of 262 participants was obtained. About 15,6% (41/262) respondents had self-medicated during the last year due to acute pharyngitis symptoms. We have identified the following important risk factors of anti-health behaviours connected with self-medication: frequent occurrence of symptoms of acute pharyngitis, frequent receiving antibiotics on prescription, frequent diagnosing a bacterial cause of sore throat, higher sensitivity to pain and lower education level. Surprisingly our research shows that women present lower sensitivity to pain than men in case of pain connected with acute pharyngitis. &#x0D; Conclusion: There is a need for greater attention paid to the education of the patients presenting the aforementioned risk factors. Education should focus on the risks to the patients connected with antimicrobial resistance.

The attitude, intention, and related factors of purchasing antibiotics without prescription: a survey in Vietnam.

The abuse of antibiotics is a global problem, and the form of abuse varies among different countries and cultures. The study explored antibiotic self-medication attitudes and intentions to use antibiotics among the public in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Questionnaire survey on a sample of volunteers. Between February and August 2023, a paper-based questionnaire survey was conducted among the public in 4 districts of Can Tho City, Vietnam. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 20.0. Descriptive and analytical statistics using multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the factors associated with antibiotic self-medication. Of the 414 people interviewed, 56% were female, and the majority were aged 30-45 (48.49%). People with a university pro-fessional degree accounted for 39.4%, of whom 10.6% were the medical staff. The overall average score on attitude was 4.43±1.589 (on a 10-point scale), and 85.7% of people had inappropriate attitudes. Average scores of the indicators (a) Positive attitude towards the use of non-prescription antibiotics, (b) Negative attitude towards the use of non-prescription antibiotics, (c) Subjective norms, (d) Perceived behavioral control, and (e) Intention to purchase antibiotics without a prescription were 3.73±0.043, 2.29±0.944, 4.36±1.45, 3.4±1.027, and 3.63±1.145, respectively. The rate of people intending to buy non-prescribed antibiotics was 63.8%. Factors related to people's intention to purchase antibiotics without a prescription included place of residence, education level, occupation, and income. All three factors, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, impacted the intention to buy non-prescription antibiotics, of which the subjective norm factor had the most substantial impact. The rate of people having incorrect attitudes about antibiotics, leading to the intention to buy antibiotics without a prescription, was relatively high. Factors affecting people's intention to purchase non-prescribed antibiotics included factors related to the impact of other people around them and factors originating from themselves.

Cross-sectional survey to explore knowledge, attitude, practices and impact of an intervention programme related to antibiotic misuse and self-medication among general population of Pakistan

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to observe the knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic use, the prevalence of self-medication and non-adherence to the prescribed course of antibiotics across...

High frequency of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella and Escherichia coli causing diarrheal diseases at the Yirimadio community health facility, Mali

BackgroundDiarrhoea is a public health problem, especially in developing countries where it is the second leading cause of child mortality. In Low Income Countries like in Mali, self-medication and inappropriate use of antibiotics due to the scarcity of complementary diagnostic systems can lead to the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria causing diarrhoea. The objective of this work was to determine the microorganisms responsible for diarrhoea in children under 15 years of age and to characterize their sensitivity to a panel of antibiotics used in a peri-urban community in Mali. The study involved outpatient children visiting the Yirimadio Community Health Centre and diagnosed with diarrhoea. Stool samples from those patients were collected and analysed by conventional stools culture and the susceptibility to antibiotics of detected bacteria was determined by the disc diffusion method in an agar medium.ResultOverall, 554 patients were included. Children under the age of 3 years accounted for 88.8% (492 of 554) of our study population. Two bacterial species were isolated in this study, Escherichia coli 31.8% (176 of 554) and Salmonella 2.9% (16 of 554). In the 176, E. coli strains resistance to amoxicillin and to cotrimoxazole was seen in 93.8% (165 of 176) and 92.6% ( 163 of 176), respectively. The ESBL resistance phenotype accounted for 39,8% (70 of 176) of E. coli. Sixteen (16) strains of Salmonella were found, of which one strain (6.3%) was resistant to amoxicillin and to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid. Another one was resistant to chloramphenicol (6.3%). Two strains of Salmonella were resistant to cotrimoxazole (12.5%) and two others were resistant to cefoxitin (12.5%).ConclusionsThe data suggest that E. coli is frequently involved in diarrhoea in children under 3 years of age in this peri-urban setting of Bamako, Mali, with a high rate of resistance to amoxicillin and cotrimoxazole, the most widely used antibiotics in the management of diarrhoea in this setting.

Public Patterns and Determinants of Antibiotic Self-Medication and Antibiotic Knowledge in Southern Jordan.

Antibiotic self-medication, which refers to acquisition and using antibiotics to treat infections based on personal experience and/or without a doctor's advice or prescription, is a significant public health issue jeopardizing patient health outcomes. The purpose of the present cross-sectional online survey was to assess the frequency of self-medication among the general public in various geographical locations in southern Jordan, as well as to examine the determinants to self-medication. The survey was distributed through several social media networks over the period November-December 2022, and included demographic information as well as items related to the use and abuse of antibiotics, information sources about antibiotics, the duration of use of antibiotics, and assessment of the public knowledge about appropriate antibiotic use. Inferential analysis, such as the Chi-Square test and logistic regression, were adopted to assess the associations between the different variables with self-medication. A total of 984 respondents were enrolled in the study. Of these, 752 had been using antibiotics during the last year. However, the self-medicating cases were 413 of the 752. The main source of information about the utilization of antibiotics among participants in the survey was pharmacists. The participants commonly (36.0%) tended to use antibiotics until the symptoms disappeared. Nearly half of the respondents reported usually taking antibiotics for treating a runny nose (rhinorrhea). The logistic regression analysis indicated that self-medication with antibiotics was significantly associated with female gender (p-value < 0.001), low educational level (p-value = 0.014), rural living location (p-value 0.003), no health insurance (p-value = 0.001) and occupation (p-value = 0.005). Meanwhile age had no significant relationship to self-medication. Finally, the results revealed poor understanding of key appropriate antibiotic usage, which inevitably influences self-medication practice. It is crucial to come up with several programs and governmental policies to suppress widespread antibiotic self-medication as it will affect the health of future generations of Jordanian citizens.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Self-Medication of Antibiotics: Medical Vs Dental students at AIMST University

Objective: Pharmacological management have been used to treat self-diagnosed ailments in the human body since many decades. Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) refers to unacceptable usage of antibiotics and is considered inappropriate. Considering antimicrobial resistance, this study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of self-medication of antibiotics use among Year 1 to Year 5 Medical versus dental students in this University. Methods: Self-administered questionnaire with thirty questions of both multiple choices and closed ended questions were provided in English for this cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire had sections assessing knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication of antibiotics in addition to the regular demographic data. Results: Both faculties have similar knowledge but different attitudes and thinking toward antibiotics which have been elicited in our study. There were only 27 students out of 385 students who experienced self-medication with antibiotics according to data collected. On the whole, the students did not practice self-medication of antibiotics and both faculties of students possess proper usage and handling of antibiotics. Conclusion: This questionnaire serve as a useful tool in research to measure KAP of the general population towards self-medication with antibiotics, and can help government agencies/healthcare professionals toward the development of an effective educational intervention to improve general public health wellbeing and overcome antibiotic resistance.