Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Medication With Antibiotics Among Visitors of Central Polyclinic of Kabul, Afghanistan Publisher



Negarandeh R¹ ; Poortaghi S² ; Shayan SJ^{3, 4}
Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Published:2021

Abstract

Objectives Self-medication with antibiotics is a common public health problem worldwide. It is the main driving factor for the development of microbial resistance.The world is facing the challenge of losing effective antibiotics.The study aim is to determine the prevalence and related factors of self-medication with antibiotics among visitors of a clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey on a sample of 384 consecutively selected visitors of the Central Polyclinic of Kabul, Afghanistan, was conducted. Key findings Approximately 34.9% of the sample self-medicated with antibiotics in the past 12 months. Amoxicillin was the most common antibiotic used for self-medication.The sore throat was a common health problem, and previous experience was the source of recommendation for self-medication.The most common reasons for self-medication with antibiotics were cost-saving, previous experience and lack of time. Conclusions Self-medication with antibiotics was prevalent among visitors to the clinic. Patterns of self-medication with antibiotics indicate the inappropriate practice of medicines. Pharmacists, friends and family approve the self-medication with antibiotics. © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. All rights reserved.