Rajendran Aparna, Kulirankal Kiran George, Rakesh P S, George Sobha
Department of Community Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India.
Department of General Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India.
Indian J Community Med. 2019 Oct;44(Suppl 1):S42-S45. doi: 10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_33_19.
Self-medication involves the use of medicinal products by a consumer to treat self-recognized disorders or symptoms or intermittent or continued use of a medication prescribed by a physician for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms. Practicing self-medication for antibiotics is a major factor fueling the emergence of drug resistance. This study would help health-care providers in creating public awareness on the dangers of antibiotic abuse.
The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of antibiotic self-medication in an urban population of Kerala.
A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Thrippunithura municipality, Kerala. Data were collected from 755 adults by face-to-face interview using a questionnaire after obtaining consent. Data were entered in Excel and were analyzed using SPSS.
The percentage of respondents who practiced antibiotic self-medication was 3.31%. Males (4.1%), graduates (3.8%), and skilled workers (8.5%) were found to practice antibiotic self-medication. Majority took self-medication for sore throat (25%). Azithromycin (39%) was the major antibiotic used. Among the respondents, 36% used doctor's previous prescription to get antibiotics. The reason for antibiotic self-medication reported by majority was convenience (41%).
Health education must be given to graduates and professionals, highlighting the problems due to antibiotic self-medication. With danger of antibiotic resistance developing, this is a major threat that has to be addressed urgently.
自我药疗是指消费者使用药品来治疗自我认知的疾病或症状，或间歇性或持续使用医生开具的治疗慢性或复发性疾病或症状的药物。自行使用抗生素是助长耐药性出现的一个主要因素。本研究将有助于医疗保健提供者提高公众对抗生素滥用危害的认识。
本研究的目的是评估喀拉拉邦城市人口中抗生素自我药疗的患病率和模式。
在喀拉拉邦的特里普努蒂鲁拉市开展了一项基于社区的横断面研究。在获得同意后，通过问卷调查对755名成年人进行面对面访谈收集数据。数据录入Excel并使用SPSS进行分析。
进行抗生素自我药疗的受访者比例为3.31%。发现男性（4.1%）、毕业生（3.8%）和技术工人（8.5%）进行抗生素自我药疗。大多数人因喉咙痛进行自我药疗（25%）。阿奇霉素（39%）是主要使用的抗生素。在受访者中，36%利用医生之前的处方获取抗生素。大多数人报告的抗生素自我药疗原因是方便（41%）。
必须对毕业生和专业人员进行健康教育，强调抗生素自我药疗带来的问题。鉴于耐药性发展的危险，这是一个必须紧急应对的重大威胁。
