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Rational antibiotic use and academic staff
A Cagri Buke1, Safak Ermertcan, Mine Hosgor-Limoncu
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova Izmir, Turkey. cbuke@med.ege.edu.tr
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|January 1, 2003
Summary
Educated individuals exhibit significant self-medication with antibiotics and misconceptions about their use, even believing antibiotics treat the common cold. Targeted education and prescription restrictions are crucial for responsible antibiotic stewardship.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sciences
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
- Misuse and overuse of antibiotics, including self-medication, contribute significantly to resistance.
- Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) towards antibiotics in educated populations is vital for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding antibiotic use and self-medication among educated academic staff.
- To identify specific misconceptions and high-risk behaviors related to antibiotic consumption.
Main Methods:
- Systematic sampling of 602 academic staff (excluding medical faculty) from Ege University.
- Participants divided into Group A (Dentistry, Pharmacy) and Group B (other faculties).
- Data collected on demographics, antibiotic knowledge, and self-medication practices.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion (45.8%) admitted to self-medication with antibiotics.
- 15.6% continued antibiotic use until symptoms resolved, irrespective of prescription duration.
- High prevalence of misconceptions: 48.8% in Group A and 80.7% in Group B believed antibiotics treat the common cold.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge-based behavior education programs are essential for highly educated communities to improve antibiotic stewardship.
- Stricter regulations on the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics are necessary to curb misuse.
- Addressing misconceptions about antibiotic efficacy, particularly for viral infections, is critical.