title: Over-the-counter acquisition of antibiotics in the Maltese general population.
abstract: Few studies have studied the frequency of over-the-counter acquisition of antibiotics in western countries. In order to provide an insight into these practices in Malta, attitudes towards antibiotic use in the general public were researched through a structured interview. Nineteen percent admitted that they took antibiotics without prescription and 11% of parents replied that they had given antibiotics to their children without prescription. These antibiotics were mainly self-administered for upper respiratory tract symptoms, particularly sore throat, with community pharmacies being the major source in more than 85% of cases. The study indicates the need for an educational campaign on proper antibiotic use amongst the Maltese general public.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Unit, St. Luke's Hospital, MSD 07, Guardamangia, Malta. michael.a.borg@gov.mt
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: Elizabeth Anne
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Scicluna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008319:Malta; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents