Shabnam Nazir1, Marium Azim2. 1. Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, KPK, Pakistan. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-medication with antibiotics is a common practice, which may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-a major health concern worldwide. The most common reason for the development of AMR is a lack of education and regulatory policies and the lack of community pharmacists. OBJECTIVE: To assess various factors that lead to self-medication with antibiotics, which might cause AMR and hinder effective healthcare. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a predesigned questionnaire to collect data from 800 respondents. The respondents were selected by simple random sampling during November 2014 to January 2015 from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Only properly completed questionnaires were assessed for different variables. The collected data were analysed using SPSS V.16. RESULTS: 527 people completed and returned the questionnaire-a response rate of 66%. Self-medication with antibiotics was reported by 135 participants (26%), with a higher prevalence of men than women (48% vs 38%, respectively). The main reason for self-medication was previous experience with the same antibiotic (68%). The most commonly used antibiotics were amoxicillin-clavulanate (40%) and major indications for self-medication were sore throat (29%) and flu (24%). Of the 527 respondents, only 104 (20%) were aware of AMR. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to evaluate self-medication with antibiotics in KPK, Pakistan. In view of the high prevalence of self-medication, introduction of a public health policy through drug regulatory authorities, public awareness programmes/campaigns, patient education about AMR and appropriate use of antibiotics are critically required. The role of community pharmacists needs to be strengthened.
BACKGROUND: Self-medication with antibiotics is a common practice, which may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-a major health concern worldwide. The most common reason for the development of AMR is a lack of education and regulatory policies and the lack of community pharmacists. OBJECTIVE: To assess various factors that lead to self-medication with antibiotics, which might cause AMR and hinder effective healthcare. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a predesigned questionnaire to collect data from 800 respondents. The respondents were selected by simple random sampling during November 2014 to January 2015 from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Only properly completed questionnaires were assessed for different variables. The collected data were analysed using SPSS V.16. RESULTS: 527 people completed and returned the questionnaire-a response rate of 66%. Self-medication with antibiotics was reported by 135 participants (26%), with a higher prevalence of men than women (48% vs 38%, respectively). The main reason for self-medication was previous experience with the same antibiotic (68%). The most commonly used antibiotics were amoxicillin-clavulanate (40%) and major indications for self-medication were sore throat (29%) and flu (24%). Of the 527 respondents, only 104 (20%) were aware of AMR. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to evaluate self-medication with antibiotics in KPK, Pakistan. In view of the high prevalence of self-medication, introduction of a public health policy through drug regulatory authorities, public awareness programmes/campaigns, patient education about AMR and appropriate use of antibiotics are critically required. The role of community pharmacists needs to be strengthened.
Entities:
Keywords:
Antibiotics; Antimicrobial Resistance; CLINICAL PHARMACY; Community pharmacy; Self-medication
Authors: Larissa Grigoryan; Johannes G M Burgerhof; Flora M Haaijer-Ruskamp; John E Degener; Reginald Deschepper; Dominique L Monnet; Antonella Di Matteo; Elizabeth A Scicluna; Ana-Claudia Bara; Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg; Joan Birkin Journal: J Antimicrob Chemother Date: 2006-11-22 Impact factor: 5.790
Authors: Larissa Grigoryan; Johannes G M Burgerhof; John E Degener; Reginald Deschepper; Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg; Dominique L Monnet; Elizabeth A Scicluna; Joan Birkin; Flora M Haaijer-Ruskamp Journal: J Antimicrob Chemother Date: 2008-02-22 Impact factor: 5.790
Authors: T D Mastro; A Ghafoor; N K Nomani; Z Ishaq; F Anwar; D M Granoff; J S Spika; C Thornsberry; R R Facklam Journal: Lancet Date: 1991-01-19 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Larissa Grigoryan; Flora M Haaijer-Ruskamp; Johannes G M Burgerhof; Reli Mechtler; Reginald Deschepper; Arjana Tambic-Andrasevic; Retnosari Andrajati; Dominique L Monnet; Robert Cunney; Antonella Di Matteo; Hana Edelsein; Rolanda Valinteliene; Alaa Alkerwi; Elizabeth Scicluna; Powel Grzesiowski; Ana-Claudia Bara; Thomas Tesar; Milan Cizman; Jose Campos; Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg; Joan Birkin Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 6.883