Self-Medication Towards Antibiotic Use Among Non- Medical University Staff (Conference Paper )#

Authors

  • Haydar Al-Tukmagi Baghdad College of Medical Sciences
  • Harith Al-Qazaz University of Mosul / College of Pharmacy
  • Sadeel Shanshal University of Mosul
  • Muhanad Al-Kaisey Baghdad College of Medical Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31351/vol31issSuppl.pp9-17

Keywords:

self-medication, antibiotics, resistance

Abstract

The use of antibiotics without prescription (self-medication) is growing globally and is associated with increased bacterial resistance, ineffective treatment and adverse reactions. This study aimed at assessing the practice of antibiotic self-medication in the Iraqi population. A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this work. The sample was comprised of 303 staff members from the non-medical colleges in Iraq. An online questionnaire was distributed between the 29th of June to the 14th of September 2021 to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics and questions about antibiotic self-medication. Most of the participants had a university degree and a moderate monthly income. The majority (88%) have practiced self-medication at least once before. A “simple” condition and convenience were the main motivators behind self-medication, which was mainly used for sore throat, fever and cough. Own experience was the most reported determining factor for selecting an antibiotic, and community pharmacies were the main source for obtaining the antibiotics. About 40% of the participants admitted to switching the antibiotic or changing its dose during the treatment course. Self-medication with antibiotics is a major issue in our community and measures have to be taken to reduce its impact on public health through the development of bacterial resistance.

References

Bell J, Dziekan G, Pollack C, Mahachai V. Self-care in the twenty first century: a vital role for the pharmacist. Adv Ther. 2016;33(10):1691–703.

Araia ZZ, Gebregziabher NK, Mesfun AB. Self medication practice and associated factors among students of Asmara College of Health Sciences, Eritrea: a cross sectional study. J Pharm Policy Pract. 2019;12(1):1–9.

Patil SB, Vardhamane SH, Patil B V, Santoshkumar J, Binjawadgi AS, Kanaki AR. Self-medication practice and perceptions among undergraduate medical students: a cross-sectional study. J Clin diagnostic Res JCDR. 2014;8(12):HC20.

Osemene KP, Lamikanra A. A study of the prevalence of self-medication practice among university students in Southwestern Nigeria. Trop J Pharm Res. 2012;11(4):683–9.

Holmes KK, Bertozzi S, Bloom BR, Jha P, Gelband H, DeMaria LM, et al. Major infectious diseases: key messages from disease control priorities. Major Infect Dis. 2017.

Browne AJ, Chipeta MG, Haines-Woodhouse G, Kumaran EPA, Hamadani BHK, Zaraa S, et al. Global antibiotic consumption and usage in humans, 2000–18: a spatial modelling study. Lancet Planet Heal. 2021;5(12):e893–904.

Alhomoud F, Aljamea Z, Almahasnah R, Alkhalifah K, Basalelah L, Alhomoud FK. Self-medication and self-prescription with antibiotics in the Middle East—do they really happen? A systematic review of the prevalence, possible reasons, and outcomes. Int J Infect Dis. 2017;57:3–12.

Rather IA, Kim BC, Bajpai VK, Park YH. Self-medication and antibiotic resistance: Crisis, current challenges, and prevention. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2017;24(4):808–12.

Ventola CL. The antibiotic resistance crisis: part 1: causes and threats. Pharm Ther. 2015;40(4):277.

Ruiz ME. Risks of self-medication practices. Curr Drug Saf. 2010;5(4):315–23.

Haque M, Rahman NAA, McKimm J, Kibria GM, Majumder MAA, Haque SZ, et al. Self-medication of antibiotics: investigating practice among university students at the Malaysian National Defence University. Infect Drug Resist. 2019;12:1333.

Downloads

Published

2023-02-16