Self-Medication With Antibiotics Among Out-Patient Attendants At Madina Polyclinic Prior To Medical Consultation
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among attendants of the
Out-patient Department (OPD) at Madina Polyclinic before seeking medical consultation and associated factors.
Design: Cross-sectional study
Setting: The study was conducted at Madina Polyclinic
Participants: The study involved 319 general OPD attendants aged 18 years and older accessing healthcare services
at the Madina Polyclinic between May and June 2019.
Main outcome measures: The prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and the factors associated with this practice
Results: From the study, 46.4% (95% CI 40.8%–52.0%) had self-medicated with antibiotics before presenting for
medical consultation at the hospital. Less than half of the respondents (44.5%) had adequate knowledge about the use of
of antibiotics. Having a tertiary level of education was significantly associated with self-medication (aOR= 8.09, 95%
CI 2.31-28.4, p = 0.001), whilst adequate knowledge on the use of antibiotics reduced the odds of self-medication by
53% (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23–0.66, p<0.001). The level of education modified the relationship between knowledge and
and self-medication with antibiotics.
Conclusion: The practice of antibiotic self-medication is rife among OPD attendants. Therefore, adequate public
Education on the use of antibiotics and the effects of using them inappropriately must be done. The Antimicrobial
Resistance (AMR) policy ought to be reinforced and made known to all, especially among the pharmacies that dispense antibiotics indiscriminately.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
self-medication, antibiotics, OPD attendants