Antibiotic Practices, Perceptions and Self-Medication Among Patients at a National Referral Hospital in Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorNabaweesi, Irene
dc.contributor.authorOlum, Ronald
dc.contributor.authorSekite, Arthur Brian
dc.contributor.authorTumwesigye Suubi, Willy
dc.contributor.authorNakiwunga, Prossy
dc.contributor.authorMachali, Aron
dc.contributor.authorKiyumba, Richard
dc.contributor.authorKalyango, Peter
dc.contributor.authorNatamba, Allen
dc.contributor.authorIgumba, Yokosofati
dc.contributor.authorKyeyune, Martin
dc.contributor.authorMpairwe, Harriet
dc.contributor.authorKatagirya, Eric
dc.date.accessioned2023-01-21T18:30:37Z
dc.date.available2023-01-21T18:30:37Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern with increasing reports of microorganisms resistant to most of the available antibiotics. There are limited data on antibiotic practices, perceptions and self-medication among Ugandans, necessitating this study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. A pre-tested interviewer administered a questionnaire that was used to collect data after an informed consent. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to assess associations between outcome and exposure variables. A P<0.05 was statistically significant. Results: A total of 279 patients (response rate=71%) with a median age of 32 years participated in the study. The majority were females (55.6%, n=155) and from the outpatient department (74.9%, n=209). Overall, 212 (76%) participants had taken an antibiotic in the past 6 months, and some 22.2% (n=47) of the participants had practiced self-medication. Male participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.13, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.01 to 4.50, P=0.046) and Muslims (aOR=4.37, 96% CI:1.54 to 12.44, P=0.006) were more likely to self-medicate. Employees (aOR=0.06, 95% CI:0.01 to 0.51, P=0.010) and patients with tertiary education (aOR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.81, P=0.028) were less likely to practice self-medication. About 33% (n=70) of the participants had not completed treatment dosage during their last course of antibiotic treatment because of feeling better (60%, n=42), lack of money to purchase the medication (15.7%, n=11) and side effects (10%, n=7). Whereas 169 participants (79.7%) believed that not completing treatment would have an impact on their personal health, only 96 participants (45.3%) believed that this behaviour could affect the health of others. Conclusion: Antibiotic misuse is significant among patients in Uganda. Continuous health education programs aimed at informing the public on antimicrobial resistance, and its dangers are recommended to curtail this challenge.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNabaweesi, I., Olum, R., Sekite, A. B., Suubi, W. T., Nakiwunga, P., Machali, A., ... & Katagirya, E. (2021). Antibiotic practices, perceptions and self-medication among patients at a National Referral Hospital in Uganda. Infection and drug resistance, 14, 2155. https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S303075en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S303075
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/7091
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherInfection and drug resistanceen_US
dc.subjectAntimicrobial resistanceen_US
dc.subjectAntibiotic misuseen_US
dc.subjectSelf-prescriptionen_US
dc.subjectPatientsen_US
dc.titleAntibiotic Practices, Perceptions and Self-Medication Among Patients at a National Referral Hospital in Ugandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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