Antibiotic knowledge and self-medication practices in a developing country: A cross-sectional study - 18/04/17
Highlights |
• | This study evaluated the use of antibiotics without a medical prescription in a developed country. |
• | Four hundred questionnaires were completed between November 2012 and January 2013. |
• | Lower educational level and self-medication with antibiotics were significantly related (P = .036). |
• | People with lower knowledge about antibiotics stopped antibiotics at the inappropriate time (P = .002). |
• | Self-medication was highly correlated with the educational level and antibiotic knowledge. |
Abstract |
Background |
Self-medication is identified by the World Health Organization as a major factor leading to antibiotics overuse, misuse and resistance. This study's objectives were to evaluate the knowledge and self-medication with antibiotics in a sample of the population of Lebanon.
Methods |
This study surveyed a sample of adults (over 18 years of age) residing in 2 major cities in Lebanon about their knowledge and self-medication with antibiotics. Health care professionals were excluded from the study.
Results |
Four hundred questionnaires were completed. Of the responders, 72% were between 18 and 45 years of age with an overall 86% having completed at least high school. For their knowledge about antibiotics, 61% thought that antibiotics should be taken for common cold and 83% knew that misuse of antibiotics could result in microbial resistance. Self-medication significantly correlated with a lower educational level (P = .036). Those with lower knowledge about antibiotics stopped antibiotics at the inappropriate time (P = .002). Socioeconomic status, gender and age did not correlate with self-medication.
Conclusion |
Self-medication was associated with a person's educational level and knowledge of antibiotics. Awareness campaigns and enforcing medication dispensing laws are needed in to avoid self-medication with antibiotics.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key Words : Antibiotic knowledge, Antibiotics, Education, Self-medication
Plan
| Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. |
|
| Conflicts of interest: None to report. |
Vol 45 - N° 4
P. 384-388 - avril 2017 Retour au numéro
Article précédent
- Risk of sharps injuries among home care aides: Results of the Safe Home Care survey
- Natalie M. Brouillette, Margaret M. Quinn, David Kriebel, Pia K. Markkanen, Catherine J. Galligan, Susan R. Sama, Rebecca J. Gore, Angela K. Laramie, Letitia Davis
- Effects of a mixed media education intervention program on increasing knowledge, attitude, and compliance with standard precautions among nursing students: A randomized controlled trial
- Peng Xiong, Jun Zhang, Xiaohui Wang, Tat Leong Wu, Brian J. Hall
Bienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?