Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Antibiotic Use in Some Nigerian Communities: Knowledge and Attitudes of Consumers

Asa Auta¹ , Samuel B Banwat¹, Shalkur David¹, Dauda A Dangiwa¹, Esther Ogbole², Amom J Tor-anyiin³

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Jos, Jos; ²Biochemistry and Chemotherapy Division, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research, Vom; ³Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, PLASVIREC, Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

For correspondence:- Asa Auta Email: asaauta@yahoo.com Tel:+2348030846692

Received: 29 May 2012 Accepted: 30 September 2013 Published: 24 December 2013

Citation: Auta A, Banwat SB, David S, Dangiwa DA, Ogbole E, Tor-anyiin AJ. Antibiotic Use in Some Nigerian Communities: Knowledge and Attitudes of Consumers. Trop J Pharm Res 2013; 12(6):1087-1092 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v12i6.33

© 2013 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the knowledge and attitude of consumers in Jos, Nigeria towards the use of antibiotics.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving 430 clients of registered community pharmacy outlets located in some communities in Jos, Nigeria was conducted in November, 2011. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 16 and logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of low antibiotic knowledge.

Results: About 56.5 % of respondents reported using an antibiotic within a month preceding the survey, with a prevalence of 22.3 % of self-medication use of antibiotics among respondents. The antibiotic knowledge assessment test revealed that 30.5% of respondents had low knowledge; while 40.9% and 28.6 % of respondents had intermediate and high knowledge levels respectively. Respondents’ educational level was the only demographic predictor (p < 0.01) of low antibiotic knowledge found, as those with primary level of education were more likely (OR = 13.224; CI = 3.296-53.052) to have low antibiotic knowledge than those with tertiary education. Respondents showed negative attitude (< 50 % positive response rate) in about 60 % of the attitude statements they responded to. The most common negative attitudes demonstrated by respondents were their expectation to be prescribed an antibiotic for cold (66.3 %) and taking an antibiotic when they have cold to get better quickly (60.9 %). However, respondents demonstrated positive attitudes in looking at the expiry dates of antibiotics before using them (93.3 %), and taking antibiotics according to the instructions on the label (84.2 %).

Conclusion: The study showed that inadequate antibiotic knowledge and negative attitudes towards antibiotics use exists among consumers.

Keywords: Antibiotic use, knowledge, attitude, Nigerian consumers