Antibiotic use in acute respiratory infections in under-fives in Uganda: findings and implications
Dan Kibuule1, Harriet Rachel Kagoya2, Brian Godman3,4
1a School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Namibia , Windhoek , Namibia.
Insights
Antibiotic self-medication for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in young children is common in Uganda. Inappropriate management and antibiotic use were prevalent, highlighting the need for better awareness and guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Self-medication with antibiotics is a widespread practice in Ugandan households.
- Limited research exists on the self-purchase of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children under five.
- This study addresses this gap by examining household antibiotic self-medication for ARIs in Kampala.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the patterns of household self-medication with antibiotics for acute respiratory infections (ARIs).
- To assess antibiotic use in children under five presenting with ARIs in Kampala, Uganda.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was conducted.
- 200 households in Kampala were selected using the WHO 30-cluster sampling method.
- Caregivers were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire between June and July 2011.
Main Results:
- Over half of ARI cases (53.5%) were inappropriately managed.
- Antibiotic use for ARIs was prevalent at 43%, with Amoxicillin and Cotrimoxazole being the most common.
- Antibiotic use was significantly associated with pneumonia symptoms and prior access to antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic use for ARIs in under-fives within households is suboptimal.
- Urgent development of guidelines and awareness campaigns is needed to reduce self-medication practices for ARIs in Uganda.
Background:
Self-medication with antibiotics among households is common in Uganda. However, there are limited studies evaluating self-purchasing of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the under-fives. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate patterns of household self-medication with antibiotics in ARI among under-fives in Kampala.
Methods:
Descriptive cross-sectional observational design. Care takers at households were selected from five divisions of Kampala using the WHO 30-cluster method and interviewed using a standardized questionnaire in June - July 2011.
Results:
Out of the 200 households, most ARI cases 107 (53.5%; p = 0.322) were inappropriately managed. The prevalence of antibiotic use in ARI was 43% (p < 0.001). Amoxicillin (31.4%) and cotrimoxazole (30%) were the most self-medicated antibiotics. Antibiotics use was associated with pneumonia symptoms and access to antibiotics.
Conclusions:
Household use of antibiotics in ARIs among under-fives is suboptimal. There is an urgent need for guidelines on awareness to reduce self-medication of ARIs in Uganda.
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