Self-medication with Antibiotics: Empirical Evidence from a Nigerian Rural Population.
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Date
2016
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Science Domain International Ltd, 3rd floor, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 3HH, United Kingdom
Abstract
Background: Self-medication is a strong determinant of antimicrobial overuse as well as a
causative of drug resistance. Irrational antibiotic use among patients has led to antibiotic resistance
and serious health problem globally.
Objective: The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of self-medication
with antibiotics in a sample of rural population presenting in primary health care centers in Northern
Nigeria and evaluate socio-demographic factors associated with the practice.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire to collect data from
1,150 randomly selected clinic attendees who visited the 25 Primary Health Centers in Niger State,
Nigeria, between August 2014 and February 2015. Only participants who lived and reside in Niger
State, Nigeria were enrolled into the study.
Results: In this study 602 men and 548 women, with mean age of 52.6±16.5 years actually participated. The prevalence of antibiotics self-medication was 82.2%. The major sources of
antibiotic self-medication were drug stores (20.4%), chemist shops (58.2%) & pharmacy (10.9%).
The antibiotics most frequently used for self-medication were ampicillin/ cloxacillin combination
(24.1%), ampicillin (20.3%), sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim combination (14.2%), metronidazole
(13.9%) and tetracycline (13.1%). Cough with productive mucus (30.1%), sore throat (23.7%),
unremitting fever (20.7%), dysuria (10.6%) skin sepsis (7.5%), and vaginal discharge (7.4%) were
the most frequent indications for the use of self-medicated antibiotics. The most important factors
associated with self-medication were affordability (79.3%), accessibility 68.4% and application of
previous prescriptions (60.4%).
Conclusion: Knowledge of antibiotics from rural population in Niger state, Nigeria is insufficient.
Despite the open and rapid access to primary health care services, it appears that a high
proportion of rural population in Niger state use antibiotics without medical prescription. More
information about antibiotic use should be provided by physicians, pharmacists and chemists
before prescribing and dispensing antibiotics. Self-medication with antibiotics is a serious problem
in Nigeria and requires considerable attention.
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Keywords
Self medication;, antibiotics, antibiotic use, Nigeria,