Theses (MSc. Public Health)

Introduction: Self-medication with Antibiotics is the use of antibiotic drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed Antibiotic drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms. A major problem with self-medication with antibiotics is the emergence of antibiotic resistance. There is enough evidence of Antibiotic resistance in Bangladesh, due to its misuse like self-medication, but studies aimed to find out the factors associated with self-medication with Antibiotic has not been done before in Bangladesh. Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the adult population of Ward 1 of Chuadanga Town, Bangladesh; and to identify potential factors that are associated with self-medication with antibiotics. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study done among 300 residents of Ward 1 of Chuadanga Town. Simple random sampling was used to select unit numbers of Ward 1.A list of the unit numbers was obtained from the municipality office and used as sampling frame. Everyone residing in the unit who fitted the inclusion criteria was included in the study. For the study instrument face validated structured questionnaire was used, which had two parts. The first part was socio-demographic data and the second part of the questionnaire was on self-medication with antibiotics and its related factors. Data collection was done by face to face interview. Univariate and Multivariate analysis were used to determine associations, and P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the population of Ward 1 of Chuadanga Town was 32%. In bivariate analysis participants with age of below 34 years, who were unmarried, whose jobs were not related to medical profession, had access to antibiotics and lacked knowledge about antibiotic resistance were more likely to self-medicate with antibiotics (P-value <0.05). Predictors of self-medication with antibiotics include age, access to antibiotics and knowledge about antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics was 32%. The factors that were significantly associated with self-medication with antibiotics were age, access to antibiotics and knowledge about Antibiotic resistance. To decrease this high prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics policy makers have to take into account these factors that are associated with self-medication with antibiotics. Better enforcement of laws regarding OTC drug sales to minimize access to antibiotics. Public awareness about antibiotic resistance and its potential health hazards should be increased through campaigns. Keywords: Self-medication, Antibiotic, Chuadanga town, Bangladesh