Anti-Bacterial Agents; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Cities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries; Drug Utilization; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Lebanon; Male; Middle Aged; Self Medication/statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Antibiotic knowledge; Antibiotics; Education; Self-medication
Abstract :
[en] 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.
Disciplines :
Cardiovascular & respiratory systems
Author, co-author :
Jamhour, Antoun; Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, Centre Hospitalier de Rambouillet, Rambouillet, France.
El Kheir, Ammar ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Pédiatrie ; Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgique.
Salameh, Pascale; Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
Hanna, Pierre Abi; Faculty of medical sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Mansour, Hanine; Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon. Electronic address: hanine.mansour@lau.edu.lb.
Language :
English
Title :
Antibiotic knowledge and self-medication practices in a developing country: A cross-sectional study.
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