Self-medication with antibiotics in Georgian population

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Self-medication with antibiotics is a global issue, particularly prevalent in developing countries.
• It contributes to antimicrobial resistance and involves obtaining medication without a prescription or based on informal advice.
• This study focuses on understanding antimicrobial self-medication patterns in Georgia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the characteristics of antimicrobial self-medication in Georgia.
• To assess the influence of self-medication on overall antimicrobial consumption in the country.
• To identify factors associated with self-medication behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sampling method.
• Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire distributed online through Google Forms.
• A total of 742 adult residents of Georgia participated in the survey.

Main Results:

• Overall self-medication prevalence was 32.6%, with 23.8% consuming antibiotics without a prescription and 12.7% self-medicating family members.
• Significant correlations were found between personal experience and gender, and between lack of trust in medical practitioners and age.
• Higher education levels showed a stronger correlation with a lack of trust in medical practitioners compared to personal experience.

Conclusions:

• Self-medication with antibiotics is a significant public health concern in Georgia, with pharmacies being primary sources.
• A notable lack of knowledge regarding the risks of antibiotic self-medication was identified.
• Public awareness campaigns and interventions to regulate over-the-counter antibiotic sales are crucial to combat this issue.