Abstract

EVALUATION OF NONPRESCRIBED ANTIBIOTIC USE

Ahmed A Elberry,*, Bayan Baabdullah, Fatimah AL-Shehri, Hamdah AL-Nebaihi, Shroug AL-Qarni , Abdulrahman A. Alahdal , Ameen M. Almohamadi

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of non-prescribed antibiotic use in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. It was aimed to evaluate the knowledge about antibiotics and their use among the population as well as the intervention and effective communication between pharmacist and patients. A community-based, cross-sectional survey, conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was completed by a random sample of general population within the target population, taking into account demographic differences in the community. 313 participants were included in the study, only 95.8% completed the questionnaire. The study revealed 41.7% of participants sought nonprescribed antibiotics, and 58.3% of participants preferred the use of prescribed antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics were found to be Augmentin (45.7%) and Zithromax (19%). Sore throat was the major symptom for treatment with nonprescribed antibiotics (30.3%) followed by the symptoms of common cold. Participants responses differed according to different socio-demographic variables (age, education level, occupation, income level and marital status), and these variables were studied in detail. In conclusion, antibiotic misuse in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was found to be influenced by low knowledge and easy availability of these drugs without the required prescription. Educational interventions on the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic use, and effective communication between pharmacist and patient should be encouraged.

Keywords: nonprescribed, antibiotics, misuse, infections.