Use of antibacterials in the management of symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections among children under five years in Gulu, northern Uganda: Prevalence and determinants
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLoS ONE
Abstract
Inappropriate use of antibacterials is a major public health challenge as it can promote emergence
of resistance, wastage of financial resources, morbidity and mortality. In this study,
we determined the prevalence and factors associated with antibacterial use in managing
symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) in households in rural communities of
Gulu district, northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among households
selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected through interviews with care-givers
of children under five years, using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire.
Out of the 856 children who had symptoms of ARIs, 515 (60.2%; CI: 54.5%-65.6%) were
treated with antibacterials. The most commonly used antibacterials were amoxicillin (55.2%,
n = 358), cotrimoxazole (15.4%, n = 100) and metronidazole (11.4%, n = 74). The determinants
of antibacterial use included; getting treatment from a health facility (AOR: 1.85, CI:
1.34–2.56, P < 0.001), households located in peri-urban area (AOR: 2.54, CI: 1.34–4.84,
P = 0.005), and a child having cough (AOR: 7.02, CI: 4.36–11.31, P < 0.001). The prevalence
of antibacterial use among children under five years with symptoms of ARIs is high in
communities of Gulu district, northern Uganda. Getting treatment from a health facility, if a
household was located in a peri-urban area and having a cough are positive predictors of
antibacterial use. There is need for targeted education on appropriate antibacterial use in
rural communities and hospital settings where over prescription is most likely especially in
treating symptoms of ARIs among children under five years.
Description
Keywords
Antibacterials, Acute respiratory tract infections, Children, Gulu
Citation
Lanyero H, Eriksen J, Obua C, Stålsby Lundborg C, Nanzigu S, Katureebe A, et al. (2020) Use of antibacterials in the management of symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections among children under five years in Gulu, northern Uganda: Prevalence and determinants. PLoS ONE 15(6): e0235164. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0235164