Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
08:33
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
13.1K
Antibiotics Self Medication among Children: A Systematic Review
Fabrizio Bert1,2, Christian Previti1, Francesco Calabrese1
1Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 11, 2022
Summary
Antibiotic self-medication in children is common globally, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Factors like distance to healthcare and family size increase this risk, highlighting the need for better drug sale regulations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat.
- Antibiotic overuse and self-prescription significantly contribute to AMR.
- Antibiotic self-medication (ASM) in children is a growing concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the phenomenon of antibiotic self-medication (ASM) in children.
- To analyze parental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to ASM in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until July 2022.
- Included English-language studies on parental factors influencing ASM in children.
Main Results:
- Identified 57 relevant studies from 702 initial articles.
- Prevalence of ASM in children: Middle East (34%), Africa (22%), Asia (20%), South America (17%), Europe (8%).
- Risk factors include distance from hospitals, low income, and larger family size; fever and cough are common triggers.
Conclusions:
- ASM in children is geographically varied, with higher rates in developing regions.
- Parental socioeconomic factors and perceived illness severity influence ASM.
- Stricter regulation of antimicrobial drug sales is crucial to mitigate ASM and combat AMR.
Related Concept Videos
00:57Antibiotic Selection
55.0K
Overview
55.0K
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
192
Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
192
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
24
A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
24
01:27Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
4.5K
Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Such synergistic combinations...
4.5K
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
828
Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
828
01:19Pharmacovigilance
959
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
959